title: Molecular mimicry and Chlamydia trachomatis infection of eukaryotic cells.
abstract: A new experimental model for microbe-host-cell interaction is proposed in which a molecular mimic of heparan sulfate is used by Chlamydia to attach to the mammalian cell surface. A heparan-sulfate-like ligand, bound to the surface of Chlamydia, mediates infectivity by bridging the microorganism and mammalian cell receptors.
authors.affiliation: Program in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley 94720.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; D008565:Membrane Proteins