An Ixodes scapularis Protein Disulfide Isomerase Contributes to Borrelia burgdorferi Colonization of the Vector

Abstract

<jats:p> <jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">Borrelia burgdorferi</jats:named-content> causes Lyme disease, the most common tick-transmitted illness in North America. When <jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">Ixodes scapularis</jats:named-content> feed on an infected vertebrate host, spirochetes enter the tick gut along with the bloodmeal and colonize the vector. Here, we show that a secreted tick protein, <jats:named-content content-type="genus-species"> <jats:underline>I</jats:underline> . <jats:underline>s</jats:underline> capularis </jats:named-content> <jats:underline>p</jats:underline> rotein <jats:underline>d</jats:underline> isulfide <jats:underline>i</jats:underline> somerase <jats:underline>A3</jats:underline> (IsPDIA3), enhances <jats:named-content content-type="genus-species">B. burgdorferi</jats:named-content> colonization of the tick gut. </jats:p>