Actin Dynamics and Rho GTPases Regulate the Size and Formation of Parasitophorous Vacuoles Containing Coxiella burnetii

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.00301-09
• Publication Date: 2009-07-28T01:10:28Z
• Authors: Milton Aguilera; Romina Salinas; Eliana Rosales; Sergio Carminati; Maria I. Colombo; Walter Berón
• Keywords: Coxiella burnetii; Rab; CDC42

Q fever is a disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. In the host cell, this pathogen generates large parasitophorous vacuole (PV) with lysosomal characteristics. Here we show that F-actin not only recruited to but also involved in formation of typical PV. Treatment infected cells F-actin-depolymerizing agents alters PV development. The small PVs formed latrunculin B-treated were loaded transferrin and Lysotracker labeled an antibody against cathepsin D, suggesting B did affect cargo its Nevertheless, vacuoles unable fuse latex bead phagosomes. It known actin dynamics are regulated Rho family GTPases. To assess role these GTPases formation, transfected pEGFP expressing wild-type mutant Rac1, Cdc42, RhoA proteins. Rac1 significant association. contrast, decorated both wild types constitutively active mutants Cdc42 RhoA. This association was inhibited treatment chloramphenicol, for bacterial protein synthesis recruitment Interestingly, decrease size observed dominant-negative RhoA; however, accumulated transferrin, Lysotracker, DQ-BSA. summary, results suggest actin, likely modulated proteins,