Sigma 54-Regulated Transcription Is Associated with Membrane Reorganization and Type III Secretion Effectors during Conversion to Infectious Forms of Chlamydia trachomatis

Abstract

The factors that control the growth and infectious processes for Chlamydia are still poorly understood. This study used recently developed genetic tools to determine the regulon for one of the key transcription factors encoded by Chlamydia , sigma 54. Surrogate and computational analyses provide additional support for the hypothesis that sigma 54 plays a key role in controlling the expression of many components critical to converting and enabling the infectious capability of Chlamydia . These components include those that remodel the membrane for the extracellular environment and incorporation of an arsenal of type III secretion effectors in preparation for infecting new cells.