# GrgA:a Multifunctional Transcription Factor that Control Chlamydial Gene Expression

> **NIH NIH R21** · RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2020 · $237,320

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The goals of this R21 grant is to test the hypothesis that a novel Chlamydia-specific transcription
factor termed GrgA controls chlamydial growth and/or development by functioning as a multifunctional
protein in transcription. Chlamydia is an obligate intracellular bacterium with a unique developmental cycle.
It is the number one sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen. Although mostly asymptomatic, chlamydial
infection often leads to serious and long-lasting complications including (but not limited to) infertility, and
pelvic inflammatory syndrome. Transcription controls chlamydial growth and pathogenicity, and is an
effective therapeutic target for chlamydiae. However, current antichlamydials including transcription
inhibition-based antichlamydials are not ideal therapeuticals because of their broad antibacterial spectrum.
The novel transcription factor GrgA is found only in chlamydiae, and therefore represents a potentially novel
and highly selective antichlamydial target. Our published work and unpublished preliminary studies suggest
that GrgA plays multiple roles in transcription regulation. We propose two Specific Aims to test this
hypothesis. In Aim 1, we will investigate the likelihood that GrgA facilitates assembly of chlamydial RNA
polymerase. In Aim 2, we will exam the effects of GrgA gene knockout as well as GrgA overexpression on
chlamydial growth, development and transcriptome expression. This research will yield insights into
mechanisms that control transcription regulation in chlamydia, and may provide further rationale for
targeting GrgA for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9884720
- **Project number:** 5R21AI140167-02
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** HUIZHOU FAN
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $237,320
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-04 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9884720

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9884720, GrgA:a Multifunctional Transcription Factor that Control Chlamydial Gene Expression (5R21AI140167-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9884720. Licensed CC0.

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