Implications of high level pseudogene transcription in Mycobacterium leprae.

Background: The Mycobacterium leprae genome has less than 50% coding capacity and 1,133 pseudogenes. Preliminary evidence suggests that some pseudogenes are expressed. Therefore, defining pseudogene transcriptional and translational potentials of this genome should increase our understanding of their impact on M.

Molecular determination of Mycobacterium leprae viability by use of real-time PCR.

Mycobacterium leprae, the etiological agent of leprosy, is noncultivable on axenic media. Therefore, the viability of M. leprae for clinical or experimental applications is often unknown.

Molecular basis of the defective heat stress response in Mycobacterium leprae.

Mycobacterium leprae, a major human pathogen, grows poorly at 37 degrees C. The basis for its inability to survive at elevated temperatures was investigated. We determined that M.

Purification of Mycobacterium leprae RNA for gene expression analysis from leprosy biopsy specimens.

Gene expression analysis in Mycobacterium leprae, an obligate intracellular pathogen and the etiologic agent of leprosy, has been hampered by the lack of an efficient method to purify RNA from leprosy lesions. Therefore to date, transcripts for only a few genes have been identified. We report the use of a single-tube homogenization/RNA extraction method that produces enough RNA to study the expression of 30 genes from a single skin biopsy specimen of a multibacillary leprosy patient and demonstrate that RNA can be purified after fixation of biopsies in 70% ethanol for up to a year.