B. burgdorferi exists exclusively in an enzootic cycle, moving between its tick vector and

vertebrate host. In order for the tick to transmit B. burgdorferi, it must first obtain the organism from an infected host as spirochetes are not passed transovarially. Tideglusib Once infected, the tick remains so throughout its life-cycle and can pass the bacterium to naïve hosts during subsequent blood meals. Spirochetes exist in low numbers within the unfed-infected tick and are associated with the midgut epithelium, an interaction mediated by outer surface proteins such as OspA and OspB [3–5]. However, as the infected tick takes in a blood meal the number of spirochetes begins to increase. By 24 hours after find more initiation of the blood meal, bacteria begin to migrate from the tick midgut to the salivary glands where they can be transmitted to a new host [6]. B. burgdorferi is a limited-genome organism and relies heavily on its host (tick or vertebrate) for many see more essential nutrients [7, 8]. For example, N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is required to generate peptidoglycan for cell wall

synthesis and may be shuttled into the glycolytic pathway to generate ATP [9]. Spirochetes must obtain GlcNAc from their surrounding environment, and an abundant source of bound GlcNAc is encountered within the tick in the form of chitin. This polymer of alternating GlcNAc residues linked by β-(1,4)-glycosidic bonds functions as a scaffold material for the tick. It is the major component of the exoskeleton and an selleck kinase inhibitor integral part of the peritrophic membrane [10]. The peritrophic membrane forms

as the tick feeds and is composed of chitin, proteins, glycoproteins and proteoglycans. It encases the blood meal and serves as a permeability barrier between the food bolus and the midgut epithelium, enhancing digestion and protecting the midgut epithelium from attack by toxins and pathogens [11–13]. Previous work has demonstrated that B. burgdorferi can utilize chitobiose in the absence of free GlcNAc [14–17], and it has been suggested, but not shown, that this bacterium can also utilize longer GlcNAc oligomers (i.e. chitin) [9]. The ability to degrade chitin could potentially serve two purposes for the spirochete within the tick midgut. First, remodeling of the peritrophic membrane during the molt may serve as an important source of GlcNAc in the form of free GlcNAc, chitobiose or longer GlcNAc oligomers [18]. The ability to degrade longer GlcNAc oligomers into chitobiose or free GlcNAc would allow B. burgdorferi access to an essential nutrient in the nutrient-poor environment of the unfed tick midgut. Second, studies in I. ricinus, the European vector for B. burgdorferi sensu lato strains, suggest that the peritrophic membrane in nymphal ticks remains intact for at least 30 days after repletion [19].