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Updated: May 11, 2026

Identification of Host Pathways Targeted by Bacterial Effector Proteins using Yeast Toxicity and Suppressor Screens
Published on: October 25, 2019
Chlamydia inhibit host cell apoptosis by inducing Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway
Du Kun1, Cheng Xiang-Lin, Zhou Ming
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, 434000, Jingzhou, Hubei, China. dukun1025@163.com
Abstract:
Chlamydia are obligate intracellular bacteria that frequently cause human disease. Host cells infected with Chlamydia are profoundly resistant to diverse apoptotic stimuli. The inhibition of apoptosis is thought to be an important immune escape mechanism allowing Chlamydia to productively complete their obligate intracellular growth cycle. Chlamydial antiapoptotic activity involves activation of the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. However, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that Bag-1 is up-regulated in Chlamydia-infected cells. U0126 and GW5074 suppress the induction of Bag-1 by Chlamydia, implying that Chlamydia may up-regulate Bag-1 via the MAPK/ERK survival pathway. Overexpression of Bag-1 is sufficient to protect against apoptosis, while depletion of Bag-1 suppresses the antiapoptotic effect of Chlamydia. The data indicate Chlamydia may up-regulate Bag-1 through the MAPK/ERK survival pathway to suppress apoptosis.
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