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Investigating interference with apoptosis induction by bacterial proteins
1Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, 1925 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 31, 2014
Summary
The Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacterium uses the Ats-1 protein to block host cell death, aiding its survival. This study details a method to investigate this anti-apoptotic mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bacterial pathogens modulate host cell apoptosis for intracellular survival.
- Secreted bacterial proteins can inhibit apoptosis pathways.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-apoptotic effect of the Anaplasma phagocytophilum protein Ats-1.
- To present a protocol for studying Ats-1's interference with apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the bacterial type IV secretion system to translocate Ats-1.
- Localizing Ats-1 to host cell mitochondria.
- Investigating interference with apoptosis induction.
Main Results:
- Ats-1 localizes to host cell mitochondria.
- Ats-1 interferes with the induction of apoptosis.
- The study provides a protocol to examine these effects.
Conclusions:
- The Anaplasma phagocytophilum protein Ats-1 exhibits anti-apoptotic properties.
- Ats-1's mitochondrial localization is key to its function.
- The presented protocol facilitates further research into bacterial manipulation of host cell death.
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