A novel proline-rich protein, EspF, is secreted from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli via the type III export pathway

BP McNamara, MS Donnenberg - FEMS microbiology letters, 1998 - academic.oup.com
BP McNamara, MS Donnenberg
FEMS microbiology letters, 1998academic.oup.com
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) cause a characteristic attaching and effacing
(A/E) lesion in intestinal epithelial cells that is associated with the expression and export of
specific bacterial proteins via a type III secretion pathway. These effector proteins and
components of the type III export apparatus are encoded on a pathogenicity island known as
the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). In this study, we describe a proline-rich protein,
EspF, encoded by the LEE that is secreted by the EPEC type III secretion apparatus …
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) cause a characteristic attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion in intestinal epithelial cells that is associated with the expression and export of specific bacterial proteins via a type III secretion pathway. These effector proteins and components of the type III export apparatus are encoded on a pathogenicity island known as the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). In this study, we describe a proline-rich protein, EspF, encoded by the LEE that is secreted by the EPEC type III secretion apparatus. Whereas an espF deletion mutant does not synthesize or secrete EspF, surprisingly it retains the ability to induce host signaling events, perform A/E activities, and invade host epithelial cells. Although these results do not indicate an obvious role for EspF in the formation of A/E lesions nor in the invasion of epithelial cells, they do not preclude a role played by EspF in other aspects of EPEC pathogenesis.
Oxford University Press