Genes Involved in Response to Chlamydia Infection in Koalas Identified
October 21, 2015| |
Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) are affected by the bacterial pathogen Chlamydia pecorum. Studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cells, components of the immune system, are involved in the immune response to chlamydial infections in humans. Scientists from various universities in Australia led by Katrina M. Morris characterized genes belonging to the NK cluster in the koala genome.
Scientists focused on four genes, two encoded within the NK receptor cluster (CLEC1B, CLEC4E) and two known to play a role in NK response to chlamydia in humans (NCR3, PRF1). Scientists then studied the expression of these genes in koalas with active chlamydia infection. Analysis revealed that only CLEC4E expression was upregulated in response to chlamydia infection.
The results provide evidence of a gene with upregulated expression in koalas with chlamydia, suggesting that it may play a role in the immune response of koalas to chlamydia infection.
For more on the study, read the full article in BMC Genomics.
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