Review
Immunology
Brittany Jury, Charlotte Fleming, Wilhelmina M. Huston, Laurence Don Wai Luu
Summary: This mini-review outlines the factors related to the developmental cycle phase and specific pathogenesis activity of Chlamydia trachomatis, highlighting their importance for future genetic research. The factors discussed include developmental cycle stages, gene expression regulatory factors, type III secretion system and their effectors, and individual virulence factors with known impacts.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
John D. Ryan, David E. Nelsona
Summary: Researchers conducted a screen for Chlamydia pneumoniae effectors in Chlamydia trachomatis, identifying several new proteins translocated during infection, and demonstrating the use of new genetic approaches in characterizing virulence factors of other Chlamydia species.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jimin Hwang, Natalie Strange, Rami Mazraani, Matthew J. Phillips, Allan B. Gamble, Wilhelmina M. Huston, Joel D. A. Tyndall
Summary: A new series of CtHtrA inhibitors were developed by proline ring expansion and Cg-substitutions, which showed significantly improved antichlamydial activity in vitro.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stefan Pan, Aaron A. Jensen, Nicholas A. Wood, Beate Henrichfreise, Heike Broetz-Oesterhelt, Derek J. Fisher, Peter Sass, Scot P. Ouellette
Summary: Bacterial AAA+ unfoldases, such as ClpC, play crucial roles in bacterial physiology by recognizing and unfolding specific substrates for degradation. In this study, we investigated the function of chlamydial ClpC using in vitro and cell culture approaches. We found that ClpC exhibits ATPase and chaperone activities, and can form a functional protease with ClpP1P2 complexes. Depletion or overexpression of ClpC significantly affected chlamydial growth, highlighting its essentiality in Chlamydia. These findings suggest that ClpC could be a potential target for the development of antichlamydial agents.
Article
Microbiology
Nicholas A. Wood, Abigail R. Swoboda, Amanda M. Blocker, Derek J. Fisher, Scot P. Ouellette
Summary: Despite its reduced genome, Chlamydia trachomatis undergoes complex developmental transitions which involve targeted protein degradation mediated by ClpX and recognition of SsrA-tagged substrates.
Article
Biology
Simone Filardo, Marisa Di Pietro, Rosa Sessa
Summary: Chlamydia trachomatis remains a significant public health issue with over 130 million new cases annually. The infection can be asymptomatic in around 80% of women and 50% of men. Various cell types are involved in C. trachomatis infection, leading to a range of pathologies in both genders. While two-dimensional in vitro cellular models have been used, they have limitations in replicating the complex structures of in vivo human tissues. This article provides an overview of cutting-edge three-dimensional cell-culture models and discusses future perspectives in C. trachomatis research.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Perumalraja Kirthika, Khristine Kaith Sison Lloren, Vijayakumar Jawalagatti, John Hwa Lee
Summary: Proteases are essential enzymes that carry out proteolysis in all living organisms and play a crucial role in cell survival. Lon protease, as a global regulator in bacteria, governs various important functions and pathways, including DNA replication and repair, stress response, and biofilm formation. Understanding the contribution and mechanisms of Lon in bacterial pathogenesis is therefore crucial. In this review, we discuss the structure and substrate specificity of bacterial Lon protease, as well as its ability to regulate bacterial pathogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Sharon L. Hillier, Kyle T. Bernstein, Sevgi Aral
Summary: PID is a global syndrome that causes significant morbidity in women. While gonococcal and chlamydial infections are commonly associated with PID, other pathogens such as Mycoplasma genitalium and respiratory pathogens also play a role. Developing noninvasive diagnostic tests and vaccines may help improve diagnosis and prevention of PID.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Abigail R. Swoboda, Nicholas A. Wood, Elizabeth A. Saery, Derek J. Fisher, Scot P. Ouellette
Summary: The human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of preventable infectious blindness and bacterial sexually transmitted infections worldwide. This study reveals that the tail-specific protease (Tsp) plays a critical role in the developmental cycle of Chlamydia trachomatis.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bodo Linz, Irshad Sharafutdinov, Nicole Tegtmeyer, Steffen Backert
Summary: Infection with Campylobacter jejuni causes campylobacteriosis, a common gastrointestinal infection. The disease is characterized by diarrhea lasting up to two weeks. C. jejuni possesses various peptidases and proteases that play critical roles in its cellular processes and pathogenesis. These enzymes are involved in protein quality control, protein transport, nutrient acquisition, biofilm formation, and virulence. Understanding the evolution of these proteases and their potential as targets for anti-bacterial therapies is also discussed.
Review
Immunology
Jun Wang, Katherine Wang
Summary: Chlamydia trachomatis is a major cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections globally, with often subtle or absent symptoms. Leukemia inhibitory factor may play a role in chronic inflammation and potential adverse effects following Ct infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Arkaprabha Banerjee, David E. Nelson
Summary: Various species of obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Chlamydia, while sharing similar developmental cycles, differ in host preferences and pathogenic potential. Recent advancements in research methods have provided new possibilities for studying these important pathogens.
PATHOGENS AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Arkaprabha Banerjee, David E. Nelson
Summary: Contemporary molecular genetic tools have been used to dissect the pathogenic properties of obligate intracellular bacteria in the genus Chlamydia. These bacteria share similar biphasic developmental cycles but vary in host preferences and pathogenic potential. Recent advancements in genetic engineering methods for C. trachomatis have opened up exciting new possibilities for studying this group of important pathogens.
PATHOGENS AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Ravi Chauhan, Ashna Gupta, Lakshay Malhotra, Ajaz A. Bhat, Raj K. Pandita, Tariq Masoodi, Gunjan Dagar, Hana Q. Sadida, Sara K. Al-Marzooqi, Atul Batra, Sameer Bakhshi, Mehar Chand Sharma, Pranay Tanwar, Shah Alam Khan, Ethayathulla Abdul Samath, Shahab Uddin, Ammira S. Al-Shabeeb Akil, Mohammad Haris, Muzafar A. Macha, Tej K. Pandita, Mayank Singh
Summary: Analysis of the TCGA database showed that increased expression of USP37 was associated with decreased progression-free survival (PFS) in osteosarcoma patients. Further research revealed that USP37 overexpression provided a survival advantage, while its depletion increased sensitivity to replication stress in osteosarcoma cells. Additionally, USP37 was found to physically interact with PCNA through unique residues. This study expands our understanding of how USP37 regulates replication stress and suggests its potential as a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma.
JOURNAL OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Stephan Brouwer, Tania Rivera-Hernandez, Bodie F. Curren, Nichaela Harbison-Price, David M. P. De Oliveira, Magnus G. Jespersen, Mark R. Davies, Mark J. Walker
Summary: Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is highly adapted to the human host and can cause various infections. The fluctuating global epidemiology of GAS is characterized by the emergence of new clones with better adaptability to the infection niche or host immunity. The increasing antibiotic resistance in GAS poses a threat to treatment, highlighting the need for safe and effective vaccines. This review summarizes recent developments in understanding GAS, including epidemiology, clinical features, virulence, and drug resistance mechanisms.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)