Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.

Chlamydia trachomatis is maintained through a complex bi-phasic developmental cycle that incorporates numerous processes that are poorly understood. This is reflective of the previous paucity of genetic tools available. The recent advent of a method for transforming Chlamydia has enabled the develop...

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Main Authors: Jason Wickstrum, Lindsay R Sammons, Keasha N Restivo, P Scott Hefty
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2013-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3792055?pdf=render
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author Jason Wickstrum
Lindsay R Sammons
Keasha N Restivo
P Scott Hefty
author_facet Jason Wickstrum
Lindsay R Sammons
Keasha N Restivo
P Scott Hefty
author_sort Jason Wickstrum
collection DOAJ
description Chlamydia trachomatis is maintained through a complex bi-phasic developmental cycle that incorporates numerous processes that are poorly understood. This is reflective of the previous paucity of genetic tools available. The recent advent of a method for transforming Chlamydia has enabled the development of essential molecular tools to better study these medically important bacteria. Critical for the study of Chlamydia biology and pathogenesis, is a system for tightly controlled inducible gene expression. To accomplish this, a new shuttle vector was generated with gene expression controlled by the Tetracycline repressor and anhydryotetracycline. Evaluation of GFP expression by this system demonstrated tightly controlled gene regulation with rapid protein expression upon induction and restoration of transcription repression following inducer removal. Additionally, induction of expression could be detected relatively early during the developmental cycle and concomitant with conversion into the metabolically active form of Chlamydia. Uniform and strong GFP induction was observed during middle stages of the developmental cycle. Interestingly, variable induced GFP expression by individual organisms within shared inclusions during later stages of development suggesting metabolic diversity is affecting induction and/or expression. These observations support the strong potential of this molecular tool to enable numerous experimental analyses for a better understanding of the biology and pathogenesis of Chlamydia.
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spelling doaj.art-1b3b55a0aa724bf2b9d1ac376958929d2022-12-22T00:32:48ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032013-01-01810e7674310.1371/journal.pone.0076743Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.Jason WickstrumLindsay R SammonsKeasha N RestivoP Scott HeftyChlamydia trachomatis is maintained through a complex bi-phasic developmental cycle that incorporates numerous processes that are poorly understood. This is reflective of the previous paucity of genetic tools available. The recent advent of a method for transforming Chlamydia has enabled the development of essential molecular tools to better study these medically important bacteria. Critical for the study of Chlamydia biology and pathogenesis, is a system for tightly controlled inducible gene expression. To accomplish this, a new shuttle vector was generated with gene expression controlled by the Tetracycline repressor and anhydryotetracycline. Evaluation of GFP expression by this system demonstrated tightly controlled gene regulation with rapid protein expression upon induction and restoration of transcription repression following inducer removal. Additionally, induction of expression could be detected relatively early during the developmental cycle and concomitant with conversion into the metabolically active form of Chlamydia. Uniform and strong GFP induction was observed during middle stages of the developmental cycle. Interestingly, variable induced GFP expression by individual organisms within shared inclusions during later stages of development suggesting metabolic diversity is affecting induction and/or expression. These observations support the strong potential of this molecular tool to enable numerous experimental analyses for a better understanding of the biology and pathogenesis of Chlamydia.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3792055?pdf=render
spellingShingle Jason Wickstrum
Lindsay R Sammons
Keasha N Restivo
P Scott Hefty
Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.
PLoS ONE
title Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.
title_full Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.
title_fullStr Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.
title_full_unstemmed Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.
title_short Conditional gene expression in Chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system.
title_sort conditional gene expression in chlamydia trachomatis using the tet system
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3792055?pdf=render
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