We here describe four proteins of
Chlamydia pneumoniae, which might play a role in host-pathogen interaction. The hypothetical bacterial proteins CPn0708 and CPn0712 were detected
in
Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected host cells by indirect immunofluorescence tests with polyclonal antisera raised against the respective proteins.
While CPn0708 was localized within the inclusion body, CPn0712 was identified in the inclusion membrane and in the surrounding
host cell cytosol. CPn0712 colocalizes with actin, indicating its possible interaction with components of the cytoskeleton.
Investigations on CPn0809 and CPn1020, two
Chlamydia pneumoniae proteins previously described to be secreted into the host cell cytosol, revealed colocalization with calnexin, a marker
for the ER. Neither CPn0712, CPn0809 nor CPn1020 were able to inhibit host cell apoptosis. Furthermore, transient expression
of CPn0712, CPn0809 and CPn1020 by the host cell itself had no effect on subsequent infection with
Chlamydia pneumoniae. However, microarray analysis of CPn0712-expressing host cells revealed six host cell genes which were regulated as in host
cells infected with
Chlamydia pneumoniae, indicating the principal usefulness of heterologous expression to study the effect of
Chlamydia pneumoniae proteins on host cell modulation.
Keywords
Chlamydia
pneumoniae
- Type-III-secretion - Effector proteins