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Sphingomyelin trafficking in Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected cells

K Wolf1, T Hackstadt

  • 1Host-Parasite Interactions Section, Laboratory of Intracellular Parasites, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.

Cellular Microbiology
|March 22, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae inclusions interact with specific vesicles containing sphingolipids. This interaction is essential for the bacteria

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular parasite.
  • Its developmental cycle occurs within a non-fusogenic vacuole (inclusion).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the vesicular interactions of the C. pneumoniae inclusion.
  • To investigate sphingolipid transport to the inclusion.

Main Methods:

  • Used a fluorescent ceramide analogue (C6-NBD-Cer).
  • Analyzed sphingolipid transport to C. pneumoniae inclusions.

Main Results:

  • Sphingolipids are trafficked to C. pneumoniae inclusions.
  • Transport is time-, temperature-, and energy-dependent.
  • Inclusion interactions resemble those of C. trachomatis.

Conclusions:

  • C. pneumoniae inclusions interact with sphingomyelin-containing exocytic vesicles.
  • This interaction is a common property among Chlamydia species.

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