Caimano Lab

Research focus

NIH R01 · 2025

Deciphering Borrelia burgdorferi RpoS regulatory networks in ticks and mammals

Abstract Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) is maintained in nature within an enzootic cycle involving a mammalian reservoir host and a tick vector. To sustain this dual-host lifestyle, Bb must remodel its transcriptome as it shuttles between these two host milieus. The RpoN/RpoS pathway is central to borrelial gene regulation. In addition to upregulating genes required for tick transmission and mammalian infection, this pathway represses tick-phase genes, hence its designation as the `gatekeeper'. Activation of the spirochete's other major pathway, Hk1/Rrp1, results in synthesis of the second messenger c-di-GMP, which is required for survival in ticks. c-di-GMP exerts its regulatory effect via the…

From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.