Insights Into Mitochondrial Dynamics in Chlamydial Infection

Yewei Yang,Zhongyu Li,Wenbo Lei,Lanhua Zhao,Yating Wen

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.835181

Yewei Yang, Zhongyu Li + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.835181

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Abstract

Mitochondria are intracellular organelles that are instrumental in the creation of energy, metabolism, apoptosis, and intrinsic immunity. Mitochondria exhibit an extraordinarily high degree of flexibility, and are constantly undergoing dynamic fusion and fission changes. Chlamydia is an intracellular bacterium that causes serious health problems in both humans and animals. Due to a deficiency of multiple metabolic enzymes, these pathogenic bacteria are highly dependent on their eukaryotic host cells, resulting in a close link between Chlamydia infection and host cell mitochondria. Indeed, Chlamydia increase mitochondrial fusion by inhibiting the activation of dynein-related protein 1 (DRP1), which can regulate host cell metabolism for extra energy. Additionally, Chlamydia can inhibit mitochondrial fission by blocking DRP1 oligomerization, preventing host cell apoptosis. These mechanisms are critical for maintaining a favorable environment for reproduction and growth of Chlamydia. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial fusion and fission, as well as the mechanisms by which Chlamydia infection alters the mitochondrial dynamics and the prospects of limiting chlamydial development by altering mitochondrial dynamics.

Highlights

For a long time, mitochondria were merely considered as cell energy factories, generating large quantities of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation (McBride et al, 2006)
Given the intimate relationship between NLRX1 and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, we hypothesize that some phenomena occurs during the middle stage of chlamydial infection that restricts the translocation of NLXR protein to the mitochondrial inner membrane, reducing mtROS production
Chlamydial infection affects the mitochondrial dynamics, and altered mitochondrial dynamics can have an effect on Chlamydia survival

Summary

Introduction

Mitochondria were merely considered as cell energy factories, generating large quantities of ATP through oxidative phosphorylation (McBride et al, 2006). Mitochondria are in a perpetual state of a highly dynamic process of fusion and fission that is intimately connected with the cell cycle, immunity, apoptosis, and mitochondrial quality control. Chlamydia infection has been shown to alter the mitochondrial dynamics of host cells in general (Chowdhury et al, 2017).

Results

Conclusion