Genetics of Monocyte Killing by Bacteria

PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal is focused on understanding the molecular basis for the ability of Legionella pneumophila to infect, survive within, replicate within, and eventually kill human macrophages. We propose to study a group of novel proteins that are made by L. pneumophila and translocated to host cells by the Icm/Dot translocation system. We will test the hypothesis that the translocated proteins interact with organelle trafficking pathways in the host and contribute to Legionella intracellular multiplication. One of the translocated proteins, VipA, was found to bind actin and promote polymerization of actin subunits. We will also focus on three proteins (LegC2, LegC3, LegC7) that contain coiled coil domains. VipA and the LegC proteins all cause organelle trafficking defects when expressed in the model host, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The specific aims of this proposal are to : 1. Determine the molecular basis for the activity of VipA, an actin-binding, translocated effector that interferes with endosomal trafficking; 2. Test the hypothesis that components of the Vps/ESCRT complex are related to events during intracellular multiplication of Legionella; 3. Dominant-negative interfering alleles of effector genes and the role of effectors during intracellular multiplication; 4. Identify host cell tyrosine kinases that control the initial interactions between Legionella and host cells required for effector translocation; 5. Identify interaction partners of LegC2, LegC3 and LegC7. In order to carry out these Aims we will take advantage of a variety of cell biological tools such as depleting cells of specific organelle trafficking components by siRNA and examining the effect on Legionella infection, co-localization of known organelle markers with the Legionella -containing vacuole and ectopic expression of Legionella genes is human macrophage cell lines. We will also examine the effects of specifically targeting host tyrosine kinases and a phosphatase on Legionella intracellular multiplication and organelle trafficking. We will use bacterial genetics to isolate dominant-negative alleles of the genes encoding the translocated proteins to better understand their role during Legionella infection. All of these approaches should clarify the mechanisms that Legionella uses to avoid killing by macrophages and produce a successful infection.