Identification and characterization of a novel Chlamydia trachomatis reticulate body protein.
The genome of the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis comprises 894 genes predicted by computer-based analysis. As part of a large-scale proteome analysis of C. trachomatis, a small abundant protein encoded by a previously unrecognized novel 204-bp open reading frame was identified by tandem mass spectrometry. No homology of this protein was observed to proteins from other organisms. The protein was conserved in C. trachomatis but not found in Chlamydia pneumoniae. Using proteomics, we show that the expression of the protein is initiated at the middle of the developmental cycle. The protein is rapidly degraded and is only present in reticulate or intermediate bodies, suggesting a possible function in the intracellular stage of C. trachomatis development. We have termed the protein '7-kDa reticulate body protein'.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Aarhus, The Bartholin Building, Denmark. shaw@medmicro.aau.dk
Allan C
AC
Shaw
Martin R
MR
Larsen
Peter
P
Roepstorff
Gunna
G
Christiansen
Svend
S
Birkelund
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016366:Open Reading Frames / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D020543:Proteome
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D020543:Proteome; C464975:reticulate body protein 7-kDa, Chlamydia trachomatis