Salt in the wound: a possible role of Na+ gradient in chlamydial infection.
Genome analysis has revealed the presence of key components of the Na(+) chemiosmotic cycle, including the primary Na(+) pump (Na(+)-translocating NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), in the cytoplasmic membrane of two ubiquitous human pathogens, Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydiophyla pneumoniae. This observation seemed paradoxical in the case of obligatory intracellular parasites because the Na(+) cycle is thought to be primarily a mechanism that enhances the adaptive potential in free-living bacteria that are often facing drastic changes in the salinity and pH of the environment. We present a model suggesting that operation of the Na(+) cycle may play an important role in the course of chlamydial infection, when the Na(+) and H(+) homeostasis of the host cell become severely impaired. This introduces the intriguing possibility of the application of drugs targeting Na(+)-transporting enzymes to chlamydial infections, which are notoriously difficult to treat.
Dibrov
Pavel
P
Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada. dibrovp@ms.umanitoba.ca
Dibrov
Elena
E
Pierce
Grant N
GN
Galperin
Michael Y
MY
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011808:Quinone Reductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; C084142:sodium-translocating NADH-quinone reductase; D011808:Quinone Reductases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase