Hydrophobic domains determine localization of IncC and IncG full-length proteins of C. trachomatis during their expression in cultured HeLa cells

Plasmid vectors encoding hydrophilic (IncB, IncC, IncE, IncG) and hydrophobic (IncC, IncG) domains of C. trachomatis incorporation membrane proteins and reporter green fluorescing proteins were constructed. After transfection of HeLa cells with these plasmid constructs, localization of the complex proteins was determined by laser confocal microscopy. Tropism of hydrophobic domains to compartments constituting the exocytotic pathway in the cell was demonstrated. Location of signal/sorting sequences responsible for specific localization was determined.