Ubiquitination of Sec22b by a novel Legionella pneumophila ubiquitin E3 ligase

Abstract

ABSTRACT Legionella pneumophila is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes legionellosis. The key to its virulence is the delivery of hundreds of effector proteins into host cells via the d efective in o rganelle t rafficking/ i ntra c ellular m ultiplication type IV secretion system. These effectors modulate numerous host signaling pathways to create a niche called the L egionella - c ontaining v acuole (LCV) permissive for its intracellular replication. Previous investigation revealed that exploitation of the host ubiquitin system is among the most important strategies used by L. pneumophila to coopt host processes for its benefit. Here, we show that the effector Legionella ubiquitin ligase gene 15 (Lug15) (Lpg2327), which has no detectable homology with any enzyme involved in ubiquitin signaling, is an E3 ligase. In L. pneumophila -infected cells, Lug15 is localized on the LCV and impacts its association with polyubiquitinated proteins. We also demonstrate that Sec22b is ubiquitinated and recruited to the LCV by Lug15. Thus, our results establish Lug15 as a novel E3 ligase that functions to recruit a SNARE protein to remodel the L. pneumophila phagosome. IMPORTANCE Protein ubiquitination is one of the most important post-translational modifications that plays critical roles in the regulation of a wide range of eukaryotic signaling pathways. Many successful intracellular bacterial pathogens can hijack host ubiquitination machinery through the action of effector proteins that are injected into host cells by secretion systems. Legionella pneumophila is the etiological agent of legionellosis that is able to survive and replicate in various host cells. The d efective in o rganelle t rafficking (Dot)/ i ntra c ellular m ultiplication (Icm) type IV secretion system of L. pneumophila injects over 330 effectors into infected cells to create an optimal environment permissive for its intracellular proliferation. To date, at least 26 Dot/Icm substrates have been shown to manipulate ubiquitin signaling via diverse mechanisms. Among these, 14 are E3 ligases that either cooperate with host E1 and E2 enzymes or adopt E1/E2-independent catalytic mechanisms. In the present study, we demonstrate that the L. pneumophila effector Legionella ubiquitin ligase gene 15 (Lug15) is a novel ubiquitin E3 ligase. Lug15 is involved in the remodeling of LCV with polyubiquitinated species. Moreover, Lug15 catalyzes the ubiquitination of host SNARE protein Sec22b and mediates its recruitment to the LCV. Ubiquitination of Sec22b by Lug15 promotes its noncanonical pairing with plasma membrane-derived syntaxins (e.g., Stx3). Our study further reveals the complexity of strategies utilized by L. pneumophila to interfere with host functions by hijacking host ubiquitin signaling.