Respiration of L cells infected with Chlamydia psittaci

Abstract

Strain 929 mouse fibroblast L cells demonstrated an increased rate of endogenous and exogenous respiration when infected by the 6BC strain of the psittacosis organism. The respiratory quotient (R.Q.) values for infected cultures were about 1.0. Studies involving the use of 2,4-DNPand reduced phosphate suggested that the accelerated respiration was a result of increased oxidative phosphorylation. Infection was accompanied by a decline in host cell ATP levels with a concomitant increase in the ADP levels. A reduction in tissue culture medium phosphate resulted in a reduced yield of psittacosis organisms from infected cells and lower cellular levels of ATP. These results are discussed in relation to an energy parasite hypothesis.