The serine protease Pic as a virulence factor of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Gut Microbes
; 7(2): 115-25, 2016.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26963626
ABSTRACT
Autotransporter proteins (AT) are associated with bacterial virulence attributes. Originally identified in enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC), Shigella flexneri 2a and uropathogenic E. coli, the serine protease Pic is one of these AT. We have previously detected one atypical enteropathogenic E. coli strain (BA589) carrying the pic gene. In the present study, we characterized the biological activities of Pic produced by BA589 both in vitro and in vivo. Contrarily to other Pic-producers bacteria, pic in BA589 is located on a high molecular weight plasmid. PicBA589 was able to agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes, cleave mucin and degrade complement system molecules. BA589 was able to colonize mice intestines, and an intense mucus production was observed. The BA589Δpic mutant lost the capacity to colonize as well as the above-mentioned in vitro activities. Thus, Pic represents an additional virulence factor in aEPEC strain BA589, associated with adherence, colonization and evasion from the innate immune system.
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MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Serina Endopeptidases
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Proteínas de Escherichia coli
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Fatores de Virulência
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Infecções por Escherichia coli
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Escherichia coli Enteropatogênica
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article