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

TITLE=Insights Into Mitochondrial Dynamics in Chlamydial Infection

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.835181

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2022.835181

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=Mitochondria are involved in the creation of cellular energy, material metabolism, apoptosis, and intrinsic immunity. Mitochondria, being an organelle with an extraordinarily high degree of intracellular flexibility, are constantly undergoing dynamic fusion and fission changes. Chlamydia is a 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, demonstrating a close link between Chlamydia infection and host cell mitochondria. Indeed, Chlamydia increases mitochondrial fusion by inhibiting dynein-related protein 1 (DRP1) activation, which can regulate host cell metabolism for extra energy. Additionally, chlamydia can inhibit mitochondrial fission by blocking DRP1 oligomerization, hence preventing host cell apoptosis. These mechanisms are critical for maintaining an environment that is favourable to Chlamydia reproduction and growth. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms behind mitochondrial fusion and fission, as well as the mechanisms by which chlamydial infection alters mitochondrial dynamics and the prospect of limiting chlamydial development by altering mitochondrial dynamics.