Figure 4

Expression patterns of P . pallidum ecmA and ecmB homologues. P. pallidum cells, transformed with fusion constructs of LacZ and the promoters of the closest P. pallidum ecmA/ecmB homologues PPL_07208 (A-D), PPL_07586 (E-G) and PPL_04427 (H-K), were developed to completed aggregates (A, E, H), tipped mounds/early sorogens (B, F, K) and more mature sorogens (C, D, G, I, J) and then fixed and stained with X-gal. PPL_07208::LacZ structures stained very strongly within 1 hr (A-C) and were also stained more briefly (D). PPL_07586::LacZ stained weakly after 24 h and PPL_04427::LacZ required 15 min for staining to develop. Bar: 100 μm.