BMC Genomics (Jul 2007)

Construction and validation of a first-generation <it>Bordetella bronchiseptica </it>long-oligonucleotide microarray by transcriptional profiling the Bvg regulon

  • Nicholson Tracy L

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-8-220
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
p. 220

Abstract

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Abstract Background Bordetella bronchiseptica is a bacterial respiratory pathogen that infects a broad range of mammals, causing chronic and often subclinical infections. Gene expression in Bordetella is regulated by a two-component sensory transduction system, BvgAS, which controls the expression of a spectrum of phenotypic phases transitioning between a virulent (Bvg+) phase and a non-virulent (Bvg-) phase. Results Based on the genomic sequence and using the freely available software ArrayOligoSelector, a long oligonucleotide B. bronchiseptica microarray was designed and assembled. This long-oligonucleotide microarray was subsequently tested and validated by comparing changes in the global expression profiles between B. bronchiseptica RB50 and its Bvg- phase-locked derivative, RB54. Data from this microarray analysis revealed 1,668 Bvg-regulated genes, which greatly expands the BvgAS regulon defined in previous reports. For previously reported Bvg-regulated transcripts, the gene expression data presented here is congruent with prior findings. Additionally, quantitative real-time PCR data provided an independent verification of the microarray expression values. Conclusion The results presented here provide a comprehensive, genome-wide portrait of transcripts encompassing the BvgAS regulon, while also providing data validating the long-oligonucleotide microarray described here for studying gene expression in Bordetella bronchiseptica.