Characterization of two predicted lipid metabolism genes (FTL_1569 and FTL_1570) in the intracellular pathogen, Francisella tularensis LVS.

Many species of bacteria enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state when exposed to stressful conditions. The VBNC acts as an adaptive strategy that allows for long-term survival in unfavorable environments. are difficult detect the environment due inability grow on nutrient agar. Although ability may be advantageous bacteria, it poses risk human health. Francisella tularensis, transitions rapidly and spontaneously state, giving potential excellent model organism study this phenomenon. Microscopic observations reveal changes cell morphology coincident with state. To characterize these morphological changes, fluorescence microscopy imaging using membrane lipid staining has been used live vaccine strain F. tularensis. Microscopy suggested metabolism important transition into change morphology. investigate further, genetic deletion mutants have constructed from two predicted genes, FTL_1569 (phosphoglycolate phosphatase) FTL_1570 (phospholipase D family protein). Gentamicin protection assays immune cells red blood conducted role genes virulence Our preliminary results suggest play roles both persistence invasion (This work was supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 West Virginia IDeA Network Biomedical Research Excellence).