SINC, a type III secreted protein of Chlamydia psittaci, targets the inner nuclear membrane of infected cells and uninfected neighbors

Sergio A. Mojica, Kelley M. Hovis, Matthew B. Frieman, Bao Tran, Ru Ching Hsia, Jacques Ravel, Clifton Jenkins-Houk, Katherine L. Wilson, Patrik M. Bavoil

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

SINC, a new type III secreted protein of the avian and human pathogen Chlamydia psittaci, uniquely targets the nuclear envelope of C. psittaci-infected cells and uninfected neighboring cells. Digitonin-permeabilization studies of SINC-GFP-transfected HeLa cells indicate that SINC targets the inner nuclear membrane. SINC localization at the nuclear envelope was blocked by importazole, confirming SINC import into the nucleus. Candidate partners were identified by proximity to biotin ligase-fused SINC in HEK293 cells and mass spectrometry (BioID). This strategy identified 22 candidates with high confidence, including the nucleoporin ELYS, lamin B1, and four proteins (emerin, MAN1, LAP1, and LBR) of the inner nuclear membrane, suggesting that SINC interacts with host proteins that control nuclear structure, signaling, chromatin organization, and gene silencing. GFP-SINC association with the native LEM-domain protein emerin, a conserved component of nuclear "lamina" structure, or with a complex containing emerin was confirmed by GFP pull down. Our findings identify SINC as a novel bacterial protein that targets the nuclear envelope with the capability of globally altering nuclear envelope functions in the infected host cell and neighboring uninfected cells. These properties may contribute to the aggressive virulence of C. psittaci.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1918-1934
Number of pages17
JournalMolecular biology of the cell
Volume26
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 15 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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