The function of the Pgp2 protein encoded by the Chlamydia virulence plasmid remains unknown, despite the functions of most other Chlamydia plasmid-encoded proteins being predicted. Huizhou Fan’s Lab in the Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers Health Robert Wood Johnson Medical School investigated Pgp2 using AlphaFold3 structural prediction and compared it to known plasmid replication initiators to determine it as a DNA replication initiator. Pgp2 has a unique β-hairpin motif that is highly conserved across Chlamydia species and is essential for its function as a replication initiator. The β-hairpin motif in Pgp2 likely contributes to its DNA-binding activity, which is necessary for its role as a replication initiator.
Wan D, Pan M, Zhong G, Fan H. Chlamydia plasmid-encoded protein Pgp2 is a replication initiator with a unique β-hairpin necessary for iteron-binding and plasmid replication. Infect Immun. 2025 Mar 11;93(3):e0060224. doi: 10.1128/iai.00602-24. Epub 2025 Feb 7. PMID: 39918305; PMCID: PMC11895440. https://journals.asm.org/doi/full/10.1128/iai.00602-24?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org
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