Elucidating the transcriptional response to the knockout of pks12 and pks10/11 genes in Mycobacterium tuberculosisthrough RNA-Seq

The pks12 and pks10/11 gene clusters in Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) are implicated in the biosynthesis of complex lipids, which are critical for its cell envelope integrity and virulence. However, the global transcriptional alterations resulting from the disruption of these genes remain poorly characterized. This project aims to define the transcriptomic landscape of Mtbknockout strains lacking pks12 and pks10/11 using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). By comparing the gene expression profiles of the mutant strains with a wild-type control, we seek to identify differentially expressed genes and affected biological pathways. This study will provide insights into the regulatory networks associated with these polyketide synthase genes and reveal their potential roles in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis beyond their known enzymatic functions.