High levels of antisense transcription from numerous genes in the obligate intracellular bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi

Journal of Bacteriology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Chitrasak Kullapanich, Regan J. Hayward, Lars Barquist, Jeanne Salje
DOI: 10.1128/jb.00564-25
Cited by: 2
References: 40

Abstract

ABSTRACT Orientia tsutsugamushi (Ot) is a cytoplasmic, gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium that causes the human disease scrub typhus. It has a highly repetitive genome, whereby approximately 50% is composed of multiple copies of a proliferated integrative and conjugative element, the Rickettsial amplified Genetic Element (RAGE). Previous RNA sequencing analysis revealed a high level of antisense transcription in Ot, particularly from RAGE-encoded genes, with 18% of all genes having a sense:antisense ratio

Fields of Study & Subjects

Vector-borne infectious diseases Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Bacteriology
Publisher
American Society for Microbiology
Volume
208
Issue
9
Pages
e0056425–e0056425
Publication date
12 August 2026
Language
EN