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Article
Enhancement of reactive oxygen species production and chlamydial infection by the mitochondrial Nod-like family member NLRX1
Journal of Biological Chemistry
  • Ali A. Abdul-Sater, University of California, Merced
  • Najwene Saïd-Sadier, University of California, Merced
  • Verissa M. Lam, University of California, Merced
  • Bhavni Singh, University of California, Merced
  • Matthew A. Pettengill, University of California, Merced
  • Fraser Soares, University of Toronto
  • Ivan Tattoli, University of Toronto
  • Simone Lipinski, Christian-Albrechts University
  • Stephen E. Girardin, University of Toronto
  • Philip Rosenstiel, Christian-Albrechts University
  • David M. Ojcius, University of California, Merced
ORCiD
David M. Ojcius: 0000-0003-1461-4495
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1074/jbc.M110.137885
Publication Date
12-31-2010
Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis infections cause severe and irreversible damage that can lead to infertility and blindness in both males and females. Following infection of epithelial cells, Chlamydia induces production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Unconventionally, Chlamydiae use ROS to their advantage by activating caspase-1, which contributes to chlamydial growth. NLRX1, a member of the Nod-like receptor family that translocates to the mitochondria, can augment ROS production from the mitochondria following Shigella flexneri infections. However, in general, ROS can also be produced by membrane-bound NADPH oxidases. Given the importance of ROS-induced caspase-1 activation in growth of the chlamydial vacuole, we investigated the sources of ROS production in epithelial cells following infection with C. trachomatis. In this study, we provide evidence that basal levels of ROS are generated during chlamydial infection by NADPH oxidase, but ROS levels, regardless of their source, are enhanced by an NLRX1-dependent mechanism. Significantly, the presence of NLRX1 is required for optimal chlamydial growth.

Citation Information
Ali A. Abdul-Sater, Najwene Saïd-Sadier, Verissa M. Lam, Bhavni Singh, et al.. "Enhancement of reactive oxygen species production and chlamydial infection by the mitochondrial Nod-like family member NLRX1" Journal of Biological Chemistry Vol. 285 Iss. 53 (2010) p. 41637 - 41645 ISSN: 0021-9258
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-ojcius/99/