Cortactin is involved in the entry of Coxiella burnetii into non-phagocytic cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cortactin is a key regulator of the actin cytoskeleton and is involved in pathogen-host cell interactions. Numerous pathogens exploit the phagocytic process and actin cytoskeleton to infect host cells. Coxiella burnetii, the etiologic agent of Q fever, is internalized by host cells through a molecular mechanism that is poorly understood.

Methodology/principal finding

Here we analyzed the role of different cortactin motifs in the internalization of C. burnetii by non-phagocytic cells. C. burnetii internalization into HeLa cells was significantly reduced when the cells expressed GFP-cortactin W525K, which carries a mutation in the SH3 domain that renders the protein unable to bind targets such as N-WASP. However, internalization was unaffected when the cells express

SUBMITTER: Rosales EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3382237 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature