Identification of a protein secretory pathway for the secretion of heat-labile enterotoxin by an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.092152899
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T14:46:49Z
• Authors: Marija Tauschek; Rebecca J. Gorrell; Richard A. Strugnell; Roy M. Robins-Browne
• Keywords: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli; Cholera toxin; Cholera

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is an enteric pathogen that causes cholera-like diarrhea in humans and animals. ETEC secretes a heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), which resembles cholera toxin, but the actual mechanism of LT secretion presently unknown. We have identified previously unrecognized type II protein pathway prototypic human strain, H10407 (serotype O78:H11). The genes for this are absent from E. K-12, although examination K-12 genome suggests it probably once possessed them. secretory bears significant homology at amino acid level to required by Vibrio cholerae toxin. With mind, we determined whether homologous played role LT. To end, inactivated inserting kanamycin-resistance gene into one ( gspD ) recombination. mutant was assayed enzyme immunoassay, its biological activity assessed using Y-1 adrenal cells. This investigation showed functional necessary ETEC. Our findings revealed ETEC, unknown, provide further evidence close similarities