Spatial constraints within the chlamydial host cell inclusion predict interrupted development and persistence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The chlamydial developmental cycle involves the alternation between the metabolically inert elementary body (EB) and the replicating reticulate body (RB). The triggers that mediate the interchange between these particle types are unknown and yet this is crucial for understanding basic Chlamydia biology.

Presentation of the hypothesis

We have proposed a hypothesis to explain key chlamydial developmental events whereby RBs are replicating strictly whilst in contact with the host cell membrane-derived inclusion via type three secretion (T3S) injectisomes. As the inclusion expands, the contact between each RB and the inclusion membrane decreases, eventually reaching a threshold, beyond which T3S is inactivated upon detachment and this is the signal for RB-to-EB differ

SUBMITTER: Hoare A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2254404 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature