Localization of the hypothetical protein Cpn0585 in the inclusion membrane of Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected cells

Cpn0585, encoded by a hypothetical open reading frame in Chlamydia pneumoniae genome, was detected in the inclusion membrane during C. pneumoniae infection using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised with Cpn0585 fusion protein. The anti-Cpn0585 antibodies specifically recognized the endogenous Cpn0585 without cross-reacting with IncA (a known inclusion membrane protein of C. pneumoniae) or other control antigens. A homologue of Cpn0585 in the C. caviae species (encoded by the ORF CCA00156) was also localized in the inclusion membrane of the C. caviae-infected cells. The Cpn0585 protein became detectable 24h while CCA00156 as early as 8h after infection. Once expressed, both proteins remained in the inclusion membrane throughout the rest of infection course.