Figure 8.

bfpR mutation and overexpression affects intracellular replication and virulence. (A) Western blot for IglC protein expression in WT, bfpR, and bfpR^ox. (B) Confluent cultures of PMA-differentiated U937 human monocytes were infected (MOI 50). Following the gentamicin protection protocol, CFU was determined. (C) Western blot showing IglC expression in the bfpR^ox with increasing concentrations of Mg²⁺. Tul4 was probed as a control protein. (D) Galleria mellonella were injected with equal CFUs. Caterpillars were observed twice daily for survival status. Data are shown as averages from three independent experiments and significance was determined by Student's t-test or log-rank test. The difference between bfpR^ox and the wild type is highly significant, p < 0.05.