A Loss-of-Function Screen Reveals Ras- and Raf-Independent MEK-ERK Signaling During Chlamydia trachomatis Infection.

Authors: Gurumurthy RK, Mäurer AP, Machuy N, Hess S, Pleissner KP, Schuchhardt J, Rudel T, Meyer TF Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacterial pathogens that have a major effect on human health. Because of their intimate association with their host, chlamydiae depend on various host cell functions for their survival. Here, we present an RNA-interference-based screen in human epithelial cells that identified 59 host factors that either positively or negatively influenced the replication of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ctr). Two factors, K-Ras and Raf-1, which are members of the canonical Ras-Raf-MEK (mitogen-activated or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase)-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) pathway, were identified as central components of signaling networ...

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