# Genetic Regulation of Developmental Transitions in Chlamydia

> **NIH NIH R01** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $563,859

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
WSU / UI - Genetic regulation of developmental transitions in Chlamydia
Bacteria of the genus Chlamydia include the significant human pathogens C. trachomatis, a leading cause of
sexually transmitted infections, and C. pneumonia, a cause of significant respiratory disease. All chlamydiae
are obligate intracellular parasites that depend on infection of a host cell to undergo a bi-phasic developmental
cycle. Following host cell invasion by the infectious Elementary Body (EB), transition to the replicative but non-
infectious Reticulate Body (RB) is essential for propagation. Differentiation of the RB back to the EB is
essential to generate infectious progeny. The EB form has historically been regarded as metabolically inert.
However, recent data suggest that EBs can respond to specific molecular signals, including glucose 6-
phosphate and ATP that are predicted to be present at mucosal surfaces. The ability of EBs to respond to
specific nutrients is consistent with their ability to respond actively to cues in their environment even before
internalization into a host cell. Via analysis of EB pre-invasion molecular events (e.g., transcription, and
maintenance of infectivity over time) and mathematical modeling, this project is aimed at determining the role
of active EB metabolic responses during initial interactions with mucosal surfaces, and identification of gene
regulatory events that control chlamydial morphological differentiation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9938409
- **Project number:** 5R01AI130072-03
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT S GRIESHABER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $563,859
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-17 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9938409

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9938409, Genetic Regulation of Developmental Transitions in Chlamydia (5R01AI130072-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9938409. Licensed CC0.

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