Analysis of transcriptional changes in E. coli expressing mtSSBs
We conducted mRNA-seq to compare gene expression of E. coli BL21-AI expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and those expressing tardigrade (R. varieornatus) mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (mtSSB). Heterologous expression of mtSSB in E. coli increased desiccation survival. To determine if endogenous stress response pathways are induced by expression of mtSSB, we measured transcriptional differences 4 hr after inducing protein expression in these bacteria and compared to controls expressing GFP.