title: Host-pathogen reorganisation during host cell entry by Chlamydia trachomatis.
abstract: Chlamydia trachomatis is obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that remains a significant public health burden worldwide. A critical early event during infection is chlamydial entry into non-phagocytic host epithelial cells. Like other Gram-negative bacteria, C. trachomatis uses a type III secretion system (T3SS) to deliver virulence effector proteins into host cells. These effectors trigger bacterial uptake and promote bacterial survival and replication within the host cell. In this review, we highlight recent cryo-electron tomography that has provided striking insights into the initial interactions between Chlamydia and its host. We describe the polarised structure of extracellular C. trachomatis elementary bodies (EBs), and the supramolecular organisation of T3SS complexes on the EB surface, in addition to the changes in host and pathogen architecture that accompany bacterial internalisation and EB encapsulation into early intracellular vacuoles. Finally, we consider the implications for further understanding the mechanism of C. trachomatis entry and how this might relate to those of other bacteria and viruses.
authors: Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Nans
authors: Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Ford
authors: Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London & Birkbeck, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HX, UK. Electronic address: richard.hayward@ucl.ac.uk.
authors: Richard D
authors: RD
authors: Hayward
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D020285:Cryoelectron Microscopy; D055032:Electron Microscope Tomography; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D000069296:Type III Secretion Systems / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D000069296:Type III Secretion Systems
keywords: Chlamydia; Cryo-electron tomography; Cytoskeleton; Entry; Type III secretion