Samuels, D. ScottLybecker, Meghan C.Yang, X. FrankOuyang, ZhimingBourret, Travis J.Boyle, William K.Stevenson, BrianDrecktrah, DanCaimano, Melissa J.2022-07-072022-07-072021Samuels DS, Lybecker MC, Yang XF, et al. Gene Regulation and Transcriptomics. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2021;42:223-266. doi:10.21775/cimb.042.223https://hdl.handle.net/1805/29507Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi, along with closely related species, is the etiologic agent of Lyme disease. The spirochete subsists in an enzootic cycle that encompasses acquisition from a vertebrate host to a tick vector and transmission from a tick vector to a vertebrate host. To adapt to its environment and persist in each phase of its enzootic cycle, B. burgdorferi wields three systems to regulate the expression of genes: the RpoN-RpoS alternative sigma factor cascade, the Hk1/Rrp1 two-component system and its product c-di-GMP, and the stringent response mediated by RelBbu and DksA. These regulatory systems respond to enzootic phase-specific signals and are controlled or fine- tuned by transcription factors, including BosR and BadR, as well as small RNAs, including DsrABb and Bb6S RNA. In addition, several other DNA-binding and RNA-binding proteins have been identified, although their functions have not all been defined. Global changes in gene expression revealed by high-throughput transcriptomic studies have elucidated various regulons, albeit technical obstacles have mostly limited this experimental approach to cultivated spirochetes. Regardless, we know that the spirochete, which carries a relatively small genome, regulates the expression of a considerable number of genes required for the transitions between the tick vector and the vertebrate host as well as the adaptation to each.en-USPublisher PolicyArthropod vectorsBorrelia burgdorferiGene expression profilingLyme DiseaseTicksArticle