ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the information and insights that can be obtained from analysis of the nucleotide sequences of rickettsial genes. Analysis of rickettsial sequences can provide information useful in the isolation and expression of additional rickettsial genes. With DNA sequence data in hand, the rickettsiologist can speculate on how this information can be applied to an understanding of rickettsial biology. The isolation of genes by recombinant DNA techniques coupled with DNA sequence analysis can provide a great deal of information on the protein products coded for by the genes. The expression of rickettsial genes in Escherichia coli opened the door to genetic analysis of rickettsial biology. The powerful genetic techniques that are available in the Escherichia coli system will find many applications in the study of rickettsial metabolism, gene structure, function and regulation, and pathogenicity.
