Plasmid-based system for high-level gene expression and antisense gene knockdown in Bartonella henselae

Abstract

Six broad-host-range plasmid vectors were developed to study gene expression in Bartonella henselae. The vectors were used to express a β-galactosidase reporter gene in B. henselae and to generate antisense RNA for gene knockdown. When applied to ompR, a putative transcription response regulator of B. henselae, this antisense RNA gene knockdown strategy reduced bacterial invasion of human endothelial cells by over 60%. Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.