Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterial pathogen and the etiologic agent of human Q fever, an acute debilitating flu-like illness that can progress to chronic endocarditis. Since its discovery over 70 years ago, mechanisms used by the pathogen to parasitize host cells remain poorly understood. During infection, C. burnetii actively regulates multiple host processes, including vesicular trafficking and cell survival. The bacterial proteins mediating these events are not known but are likely delivered to the host cytosol by a Dot/Icm type IV secretion system. The current application is designed to functionally characterize C. burnetii plasmid-encoded Dot/Icm substrates and define their role in virulence. All C. burnetii isolates either harbor a large cryptic plasmid or have plasmid sequences integrated into their chromosome, suggesting these molecules are critical for pathogen biology. Interestingly, we have identified six Dot/Icm substrates encoded by C. burnetii plasmid genes that are termed Coxiella plasmid effectors A - F (CpeA - F). Three of these proteins are conserved in all isolates and three are specific to the QpH1 plasmid from a human acute disease isolate.
Aim 1 is designed to characterize the interaction of conserved CpeB and CpeD with autophagosomes and secretory organelles, respectively.
Aim 2 will define requirements of all six plasmid effectors during infection. Additionally, this aim will identify effector binding host proteins and determine the requirement of these components for C. burnetii infection.
Aim 3 will determine the requirement of the C. burnetii plasmid for pathogen virulence in both cell culture and a guinea pig infection model of Q fever. Collectively, the aims in the current application will provide needed insight into the mechanisms used by C. burnetii to efficiently parasitize host cells. These studies will also provide novel information regarding the role of the C. burnetii cryptic plasmid in pathogen virulence.

Public Health Relevance

Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes the zoonosis human Q fever, a debilitating acute disease that also presents as chronic endocarditis. Currently, C. burnetii virulence determinants are poorly understood. Characterization of C. burnetii proteins delivered to the host cytosol by the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system will provide candidate therapeutic targets to combat Q fever and will provide needed insight into the interactions between C. burnetii and its host. The goals of the proposed research are to 1) characterize the interaction of C. burnetii plasmid-encoded Dot/Icm substrates with host proteins and 2) determine the role of the plasmid in pathogen virulence.)

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI087669-01A1
Application #
7990747
Study Section
Host Interactions with Bacterial Pathogens Study Section (HIBP)
Program Officer
Perdue, Samuel S
Project Start
2010-07-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$359,800
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
122452563
City
Little Rock
State
AR
Country
United States
Zip Code
72205
Winchell, Caylin G; Dragan, Amanda L; Brann, Katelynn R et al. (2018) Coxiella burnetii Subverts p62/Sequestosome 1 and Activates Nrf2 Signaling in Human Macrophages. Infect Immun 86:
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Mahapatra, Saugata; Gallaher, Brandi; Smith, Sydni Caet et al. (2016) Coxiella burnetii Employs the Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System to Modulate Host NF-?B/RelA Activation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 6:188
Colonne, Punsiri M; Winchell, Caylin G; Voth, Daniel E (2016) Hijacking Host Cell Highways: Manipulation of the Host Actin Cytoskeleton by Obligate Intracellular Bacterial Pathogens. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 6:107
Colonne, Punsiri M; Winchell, Caylin G; Graham, Joseph G et al. (2016) Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein Activity Is Required for Coxiella burnetii Growth in Human Macrophages. PLoS Pathog 12:e1005915
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Winchell, Caylin G; Graham, Joseph G; Kurten, Richard C et al. (2014) Coxiella burnetii type IV secretion-dependent recruitment of macrophage autophagosomes. Infect Immun 82:2229-38

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