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Got mutants? How advances in chlamydial genetics have furthered the study of effector proteins
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Got mutants? How advances in chlamydial genetics have furthered the study of effector proteins

Shelby E Andersen, Lanci M Bulman, Brianna Steiert, Robert Faris and Mary M Weber
Pathogens and disease, Vol.79(2), p.1
01/29/2021
DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa078
PMCID: PMC7862739
PMID: 33512479
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/femspd/ftaa078View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of infectious blindness and a sexually transmitted infection. All chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that replicate within a membrane-bound vacuole termed the inclusion. From the confines of the inclusion, the bacteria must interact with many host organelles to acquire key nutrients necessary for replication, all while promoting host cell viability and subverting host defense mechanisms. To achieve these feats, C. trachomatis delivers an arsenal of virulence factors into the eukaryotic cell via a type 3 secretion system (T3SS) that facilitates invasion, manipulation of host vesicular trafficking, subversion of host defense mechanisms and promotes bacteria egress at the conclusion of the developmental cycle. A subset of these proteins intercalate into the inclusion and are thus referred to as inclusion membrane proteins. Whereas others, referred to as conventional T3SS effectors, are released into the host cell where they localize to various eukaryotic organelles or remain in the cytosol. Here, we discuss the functions of T3SS effector proteins with a focus on how advances in chlamydial genetics have facilitated the identification and molecular characterization of these important factors. In this article, the authors review the function of Chlamydia trachomatis secreted effector proteins and Incs, with special emphasis on how the advancement of chlamydial genetics has enabled functional characterization of these important proteins.
AcademicSubjects Chlamydia effector genetics inclusion inclusion membrane protein MED00690 Minireview SCI01150 type III secretion

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