Rickettsia Sca4 Reduces Vinculin-Mediated Intercellular Tension to Promote Spread.

ABSTRACT: Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae are human pathogens that infect cells in the vasculature. They disseminate through host tissues by a process of cell-to-cell spread that involves protrusion formation, engulfment, and vacuolar escape. Other bacterial pathogens rely on actin-based motility to provide a physical force for spread. Here, we show that SFG species Rickettsia parkeri typically lack actin tails during spread and instead manipulate host intercellular tension and mechanotransduction to promote spread. Using transposon mutagenesis, we identified surface cell antigen 4 (Sca4) as a secreted effector of spread that specifically promotes protrusion engulfment. Sca4 interacts with the cell-adhesion protein vinculin and blocks association with vinculin's binding partner, α-catenin. Usi

SUBMITTER: Lamason RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5097866 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature