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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
18:25
Live Imaging Assay for Assessing the Roles of Ca2+ and Sphingomyelinase in the Repair of Pore-forming Toxin Wounds
Published on: August 25, 2013
Sphingomyelin trafficking in Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected cells
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
Summary
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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