Chlamydia trachomatis proteomics

现有的衣原体基因组序列使得在全基因组尺度上研究衣原体成为可能。例如，基因组序列的比较揭示了衣原体基因与其他物种同源基因的功能，并为衣原体的进化史提供了信息。基因转录谱的全基因组分析将基因表达模式与生物反应联系起来。然而，这些基于核酸序列的分析在充分了解衣原体蛋白的功能方面存在局限性。由于缺乏对衣原体的遗传操作，研究人员被迫在异源系统中开发功能驱动的全基因组筛选测定。虽然其中一些检测已经获得了有用的信息，但许多检测收效甚微。

The available chlamydial genome sequences have made it possible to study chlamydia at the whole genome scale. For example, comparison of genome sequences have revealed functions of chlamydial genes with homologies to their counterparts in other species and provided information for chlamydial evolutionary history. Genome wide analyses of gene transcriptional profiles have correlated gene expression patterns with biological responses. However, these nucleic acid sequence-based analyses have limitations in fully understanding the functions of chlamydial proteins. Due to a lack of genetic manipulation for chlamydia, researchers are forced to develop function-driven genome wide screening assays in heterologous systems. While some of these assays have yielded useful information, many have met little success. To complement the above approaches for identifying functions of chlamydial proteins, we are proposing a functional proteomics approach, in which whole genome protein array assays will be developed for identifying protective and pathogenic determinants during human chlamydial infection and determining protein-protein interaction pairs. Furthermore, antibodies will be produced for characterizing endogenous chlamydial proteins for expression levels/patterns, half-life, post-translational modifications, interaction partners and intracellular localization. These proposed studies will provide essential information for understanding chlamydial pathogenic mechanisms and developing intervention and prevention strategies for controlling chlamydial infection-induced diseases.