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A predation assay using amoebae to screen for virulence factors unearthed the first W. chondrophila inclusion membrane protein.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Kebbi-Beghdadi, C 
Croxatto, A 
Tosetti, N 

Abstract

Waddlia chondrophila is an intracellular bacterium phylogenetically related to the well-studied human and animal pathogens of the Chlamydiaceae family. In the last decade, W. chondrophila was convincingly demonstrated to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans and abortions in animals. All members of the phylum Chlamydiae possess a Type Three Secretion System that they use for delivering virulence proteins into the host cell cytosol to modulate their environment and create optimal conditions to complete their life cycle. To identify W. chondrophila virulence proteins, we used an original screening approach that combines a cosmid library with an assay monitoring resistance to predation by phagocytic amoebae. This technique combined with bioinformatic data allowed the identification of 28 candidate virulence proteins, including Wimp1, the first identified inclusion membrane protein of W. chondrophila.

Description

Keywords

Amoeba, Animals, Chlamydiaceae, Chlamydiales, Computational Biology, Membrane Proteins, Type III Secretion Systems, Virulence, Virulence Factors

Journal Title

Sci Rep

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2045-2322
2045-2322

Volume Title

9

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC