Coxiella burnetii actively express effectors that likely remodel the host cell for replication and are essential for pathogenesis are likely type 4 secretion system-dependent (T4SS), similar to Dot/Icm secretion in Legionella pneumophila. Identification of T4SS substrates of C. burnetii has been facilitated using Legionella, but studies in C. burnetii have not been done. Recent advances including extracellular growth medium, transposon mutagenesis and a stable shuttle vector provide a unique opportunity to change the experimental paradigm with this agent. Objectives are to identify T4SS-dependent effector functions by: 1) Identification of novel T4SS system-dependent substrates. The working hypothesis is that genome-wide screens of ORFs from C. burnetii will identify a large collection of T4SS substrates (candidate effectors). 2) Establish a potential effector function for selected T4SS substrate. The working hypothesis is that examination of putative T4SS dependent substrates using a series of in vitro and in situ assays to identify localization, binding partner and cellular activity will identify critical effectors in the pathogenic process. We have placed a major priority in this aim on molecular characterization of nuclear localized and Fic-domain containing effectors. 3) Determine a role in virulence for T4SS substrates in vitro and in vivo using knockout mutagenesis. The working hypothesis is that genetic inactivation of key T4SS substrates will result in reduced virulence. These data will be used to expand our understanding of the pathogenic process in Q fever and identify targets for anti-C. burnetii therapy.

Public Health Relevance

This is a comprehensive study, including knockout mutagenesis, with novel approaches and depth of study unparalleled with the agent. It is our expectation that these studies will result in identification of several novel T4SS dependent effector molecules, including both acute and chronic pathotype-specific determinants. The ability to perform these studies only recently became possible with advancement in cultivation and mutagenesis procedures for C. burnetii. These data will expand our understanding of the pathogenic process in Q fever and identify targets for anti-C. burnetii therapy.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI090142-04
Application #
8894364
Study Section
Bacterial Pathogenesis Study Section (BACP)
Program Officer
Perdue, Samuel S
Project Start
2012-08-20
Project End
2017-07-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Texas A&M University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
835607441
City
College Station
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77845
Weber, Mary M; Faris, Robert; van Schaik, Erin J et al. (2018) Identification and characterization of arginine finger-like motifs, and endosome-lysosome basolateral sorting signals within the Coxiella burnetii type IV secreted effector protein CirA. Microbes Infect 20:302-307
Patrick, Kristin L; Wojcechowskyj, Jason A; Bell, Samantha L et al. (2018) Quantitative Yeast Genetic Interaction Profiling of Bacterial Effector Proteins Uncovers a Role for the Human Retromer in Salmonella Infection. Cell Syst 7:323-338.e6
Pandey, Aseem; Ding, Sheng Li; Qin, Qing-Ming et al. (2017) Global Reprogramming of Host Kinase Signaling in Response to Fungal Infection. Cell Host Microbe 21:637-649.e6
Weber, Mary M; Faris, Robert; van Schaik, Erin J et al. (2016) The Type IV Secretion System Effector Protein CirA Stimulates the GTPase Activity of RhoA and Is Required for Virulence in a Mouse Model of Coxiella burnetii Infection. Infect Immun 84:2524-33
Di Russo Case, Elizabeth; Samuel, James E (2016) Contrasting Lifestyles Within the Host Cell. Microbiol Spectr 4:
Weber, Mary M; Faris, Robert; McLachlan, Juanita et al. (2016) Modulation of the host transcriptome by Coxiella burnetii nuclear effector Cbu1314. Microbes Infect 18:336-45
Case, Elizabeth Di Russo; Smith, Judith A; Ficht, Thomas A et al. (2016) Space: A Final Frontier for Vacuolar Pathogens. Traffic 17:461-74
Soltysiak, Kelly A; van Schaik, Erin J; Samuel, James E (2015) Surfactant Protein D Binds to Coxiella burnetii and Results in a Decrease in Interactions with Murine Alveolar Macrophages. PLoS One 10:e0136699
Weber, Mary M; Chen, Chen; Rowin, Kristina et al. (2013) Identification of Coxiella burnetii type IV secretion substrates required for intracellular replication and Coxiella-containing vacuole formation. J Bacteriol 195:3914-24
Criscitiello, Michael F; Dickman, Martin B; Samuel, James E et al. (2013) Tripping on acid: trans-kingdom perspectives on biological acids in immunity and pathogenesis. PLoS Pathog 9:e1003402

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