ISSN:
1365-2958
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
The adherence mechanisms of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) to epithelial cells are still not understood. To study the molecular basis of the diffuse adherence (DA) phenotype exhibited by diarrhoeagenic E. coli expressing classical EPEC serotypes we investigated strain 2787 (O126:H27) isolated from a case of infantile diarrhoea. A 6.0 kb plasmid-derrved DNA fragment mediates the DA phenotype and encodes the 100 kDa adhesin protein AIDA-I (adhesin involved in diffuse adherence). Sequencing of the entire fragment revealed two open reading frames which encoded proteins of 45 kDa and 132 kDa, respectively. The 132 kDa protein has been identified as an AIDA-I precursor protein. After cleavage of the signal sequence further processing at the C-terminus of the 132 kDa precursor leads to the mature ∼100 kDa AIDA-I. While the exact function of the cytopiasmic 45 kDa protein is not known, preliminary evidence indicates that it is necessary for the correct maturation of AIDA-I. The AIDA-l precursor exhibits significant homology with the virG(icsA) protein of Shigella flexneri which seems to be involved in the intercellular spread of invasive Shigella organisms.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.1992.tb00875.x
