Degradation of the Proapoptotic Proteins Bik, Puma, and Bim with Bcl-2 Domain 3 Homology in Chlamydia trachomatis -Infected Cells

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.3.1861-1864.2005
• Publication Date: 2005-02-24T01:58:44Z
• Authors: Feng Dong; Mustak Pirbhai; Yangming Xiao; Youmin Zhong; Yimou Wu; Guangming Zhong
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 0303 health sciences; Bcl-2-Like Protein 11; Membrane Proteins; Apoptosis; Chlamydia trachomatis; 3. Good health; Mitochondrial Proteins; 03 medical and health sciences; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Proto-Oncogene Proteins; Humans; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Carrier Proteins; HeLa Cells

ABSTRACT

We have previously correlated Chlamydia trachomatis antiapoptotic activity with the blockade of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and the inhibition of Bax and Bak activation. We now report that C. trachomatis infection leads to degradation of Bik, Puma, and Bim, three upstream proapoptotic BH3-only proteins of the Bcl-2 family that can transmit death signals to mitochondria by inhibiting the Bcl-2 antiapoptotic proteins and/or activating the Bcl-2 proapoptotic members, such as Bax and Bak. This observation has provided new information on the chlamydial antiapoptosis mechanisms.