Modulation of cell function by a family of Coxiella burnetii proteins containing ankyrin repeat domains

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anja Lührmann
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2005 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 12509009

Coxiella burnettii, the causative agent of Q fever, a worldwide zoonosis, is an obligate intracellular pathogen. Remarkably, there have been no bone fide virulence proteins identified in this organism. This is likely due to the fact that Coxiella is an obligate intracellular pathogen, which has made genetic analysis difficult. In this proposal, I have described experiments that will be conducted to elucidate the function(s) of a family of Coxiella burnetii proteins that are predicted to play an important role in modulating host cell processes during intracellular infection. These proteins have multiple ankyrin repeat domains, which are protein-protein interaction motifs found in many different eukaryotic proteins. My preliminary results demonstrates that a subset of the Coxiella Ank proteins are translocated into the host cell cytosol by the Dot/Icm Type IV secretion system implicating them in direct interactions with host cell proteins. I will use molecular and genetic approaches to investigate these Coxiella Ank proteins in order to understand their effector functions. These studies will lead to a better understanding of how microbial pathogens are able to modulate host cell function in order to survive and grow inside of mammalian cells.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Craig Roy