The T4SS Effector AnkF Is Important for Intracellular Replication.

is an obligate intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of the zoonotic disease Q fever. Following uptake by alveolar macrophages, the pathogen replicates in an acidic phagolysosomal vacuole, the -containing vacuole (CCV). Effector proteins translocated into the host cell by the type IV secretion system (T4SS) are important for the establishment of the CCV.

The anti-apoptotic Coxiella burnetii effector protein AnkG is a strain specific virulence factor.

The ability to inhibit host cell apoptosis is important for the intracellular replication of the obligate intracellular pathogen Coxiella burnetii, as it allows the completion of the lengthy bacterial replication cycle. Effector proteins injected into the host cell by the C. burnetii type IVB secretion system (T4BSS) are required for the inhibition of host cell apoptosis.

Coxiella burnetii as a useful tool to investigate bacteria-friendly host cell compartments.

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular and airborne pathogen which can cause the zoonotic disease Q fever. After inhalation of contaminated aerosols alveolar macrophages are taking up C. burnetii into a phagosome.

Modulation of host cell apoptotic pathways by intracellular pathogens.

Nearly all steps of the host cell apoptotic cascade can be subverted by intracellular microorganisms. Some pathogens modulate early steps and interfere with sensing of extracellular signals, cellular stress or signal transduction; others target Bcl-2 proteins, caspases, or inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). In many cases the exact molecular mechanisms leading to interference with the host cell apoptotic cascade are still unknown.