Analysis of intracellular parasitism of Anaplasma phagocytophilum

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23590514
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Bacteriology (including Mycology)
• Research Institution: University of Shizuoka
• Principal Investigator: OHASHI norio 静岡県立大学, 食品栄養科学部, 教授 (10169039)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): YOSHIKAWA Yuko 静岡県立大学, 食品栄養科学部, 助教 (00580523)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: アナプラズマ症 / 新興感染症 / A. phagocytophilum / 宿主感染応答 / 細胞内寄生性細菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligatory intracellular bacterium and causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis, an emerging tick-borne infectious disease. A. phagocytophilum forms characteristic inclusions in the host cells, so called morulae, and alters the host environment for the benefit of the bacterial multiplication. In the intracellular parasitism, we found that A. phagocytophilum activates three of all ER stress sensors, inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α), protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor-6 (ATF6), that regulate the eukaryotic unfolded protein response. The study suggests that A. phagocytophilum manipulates host ER stress system for intracellular survival and its growth.

Free Research Field

微生物学