Modulation of the host transcriptome by Coxiella burnetii nuclear effector Cbu1314

Coxiella burnetii is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular pathogen that directs the formation of a parasitophorous vacuole derived from the host lysosomal network. Biogenesis and maintenance of this replicative compartment is dependent on bacterial protein synthesis and results in differential expression of specific host genes. However, the mechanisms by which the pathogen induces changes in the host transcriptome is poorly understood. In the current study we identified a Dot/Icm secreted effector, Cbu1314, which encodes two nuclear localization signals that are required for nuclear localization and association with host chromatin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and deep sequencing revealed that Cbu1314 associated with host genes involved in transcription, cell signaling, and the immune response. RNA sequencing of cells overexpressing Cbu1314 demonstrated that Cbu1314 modulates the host transcriptome and these transcriptional changes required a functional nuclear localization signal. Of the differentially expressed genes, sixteen were also identified as Cbu1314 targets using ChIP sequencing. Collectively these results suggest that Cbu1314 associates with host chromatin and plays a role in modulating the host transcriptome.