Chlamydiatrachomatis inclusions (brown) in McCoy cell cultures. Credit: Public Domain
Bacterium chlamydia trachomatis is the main cause of sexually transmitted diseases. Bacteria have many tricks on their sleeves that help them survive within the cell. One strategy used by chlamydia is to form a protective “bubbles” called inclusion. This is the fusion of membranes to create large pockets of large bacteria within the cells. Now, a new study by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University published in Nature Communications sheds light on the mechanisms behind this process.
Membrane fusion is important during infection. Because if some people are infected with unfused chlamydia, they tend to have far more mild cases.
“The fusion appears to increase the efficacy of chlamydia,” says Dr. Fabian Pormet, a biology researcher and senior author of the study.
Dr. Pommett’s team – a lab student led by Christine Linton – used a microscope tool to analyze genetically modified chlamydia when undergoing membrane fusion. They discovered that bacteria use a unique mechanism they have never seen before.
They observed that for membrane fusion to occur, there are two “bubbles” needed to form a dedicated connection zone that functions like a “docking station or fusion station.” These regions, called inclusion contact sites, were packed with special fats and proteins that had prepared the membrane for fusion.
The mechanism differs from membrane fusion by eukaryotes or viruses. For example, in eukaryotes, Dr. Paumet compares membrane fusion with zippers. Here, the cellular machines on both sides of the connecting membrane are different but complementary. In contrast, the proteins on the chlamydia-encapsulated membrane were exactly the same on both sides.
Dr. Paumet said the study could have clinical use one day. Antibiotic-resistant chlamydia is currently very rare, but may become more common in the future. If researchers know more about how chlamydial membrane fusion works, they can one day use those mechanisms to combat infections that no longer respond to antibiotics.
“The more you know about chlamydia, the more you provide the tools to ultimately interfere,” says Dr. Pormet.
Details: Christine Linton et al., Specialized Contact Sites Regulate the fusion of chlamydia-inclusive membranes, Nature Communications (2024). doi:10.1038/s41467-024-53443-7
Provided by Thomas Jefferson University
Quote: How Chlamydia Formats Protective Bubble to Survive in Human Cells (2025, February 27) February 27, 2025 https://phys.org/news/2025-02-Chlamydia-survive-humans.html
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