Chlamydia trachomatis effectors target the mitochondria and alter mitochondrial protein composition

Mitochondria are critical cellular organelles that perform a wide variety of functions including energy production and immune regulation. To perform these functions, mitochondria contain approximately 1,500 proteins, the majority of which are encoded in the nuclear genome, translated in the cytoplasm, and translocated to the mitochondria using distinct mitochondria targeting sequences (MTS). Bacterial proteins can also contain MTS and localize to the mitochondria. For the obligate intracellular human pathogen, Chlamydia trachomatis, interaction with various host cell organelles promotes intracellular replication. However, the extent and mechanisms through which Chlamydia interact directly with mitochondria remain unclear. We investigated the presence of MTS in the C. trachomatis genome and discovered 30 genes with around 70% or greater probability of mitochondrial localization. Five are translocated to the mitochondria upon ectopic expression in HeLa cells. Mass spectrometry of isolated mitochondria from infected cells revealed that two of these proteins localize to the mitochondria during infection. Comparison of mitochondria from infected and uninfected cells suggests that chlamydial infection affects mitochondrial protein composition. Around 125 host proteins were significantly decreased or absent in mitochondria from infected cells. Among these are pro-apoptotic factors and those related to mitochondrial fission/fusion dynamics. Conversely, 82 host proteins were increased in or specific to mitochondria of infected cells, many of which act as anti-apoptotic factors and upregulators of cellular metabolism. These data support the notion that C. trachomatis specifically targets host mitochondria to manipulate cell fate decisions and metabolic function to support pathogen survival and replication. ImportanceObligate intracellular bacteria have evolved multiple means to promote their intracellular survival and replication within the otherwise harsh environment of the eukaryotic cell. Nutrient acquisition and avoidance of cellular defense mechanisms are critical to an intracellular lifestyle. Mitochondria are critical organelles that produce energy in the form of ATP and regulate programmed cell death responses to invasive pathogenic microbes. Cell death prior to completion of replication would be detrimental to the pathogen. C. trachomatis produces at least two and possibly more proteins that target the mitochondria. Collectively, C. trachomatis infection modulates mitochondrial protein composition favoring a profile suggestive of down-regulation of apoptosis.