In elementary bodies (EBs, the infectious stage, which is able to survive outside the host cell) provides the structural integrity of the outer envelope through disulfide cross-links with the small cysteine-rich protein and the major outer membrane protein. It has been described in publications as the Sarkosyl-insoluble COMC (Chlamydia outer membrane complex), and serves as the functional equivalent of peptidoglycan.
"Genome sequence of an obligate intracellular pathogen of humans: Chlamydia trachomatis."Stephens R.S., Kalman S., Lammel C.J., Fan J., Marathe R., Aravind L., Mitchell W.P., Olinger L., Tatusov R.L., Zhao Q., Koonin E.V., Davis R.W.Science 282:754-759(1998).
Research Topic:Microbiology