The Chlamydia pneumoniae Invasin Protein Pmp21 Recruits the EGF Receptor for Host Cell Entry

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003325
• Publication Date: 2013-04-25T20:52:54Z
• Authors: Katja Mölleken; Elisabeth Becker; Johannes H. Hegemann
• Keywords: Internalization; Chlamydiae

Infection of mammalian cells by the strictly intracellular pathogens Chlamydiae requires adhesion and internalization infectious Elementary Bodies (EBs). The components latter step were unknown. Here, we identify Chlamydia pneumoniae Pmp21 as an invasin EGFR its receptor. Modulation surface expression evokes correlated changes in EB adhesion, infectivity. Ectopic EGFR-negative hamster leads to binding beads EBs, thus boosting infection. EB/Pmp21 invasion epithelial results activation EGFR, recruitment adaptors Grb2 c-Cbl ERK1/2, while inhibition or MEK kinase activity abrogates entry, but not attachment. Binding is essential for This first report invasin-receptor interaction involved host-cell any chlamydial species.