Commensal and pathogenic Escherichia coli use a common pilus adherence factor for epithelial cell colonization

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0704104104
• Publication Date: 2007-06-12T20:22:58Z
• Authors: Marı́a A. Rendón; Zeus Saldaña; Ayşen L. Erdem; Valério Monteiro-...; Alejandra Vázquez; James B. Kaper; José L. Puente; Jorge A. Girón
• Keywords: Virulence factor

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is a food-borne pathogen that causes hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Colonization of human gut mucosa production potent Shiga toxins are critical virulence traits EHEC. Although EHEC contains numerous putative pili operons, their role in colonization natural bovine or accidental hosts remains largely unknown. We have identified an adherence factor, herein called E. common pilus (ECP), composed 21-kDa pilin subunit whose amino acid sequence corresponds to product yagZ (renamed ecpA) gene present all genomes sequenced date. ECP was demonstrated 121 (71.6%) total 169 ecpA+ strains representing intestinal extraintestinal pathogenic as well normal flora coli. High-resolution ultrastructural immunofluorescence studies presence abundant peritrichous fibrillar structures emanating from bacterial surface forming physical bridges between bacteria adhering cultured epithelial cells. Isogenic ecpA mutants fecal commensal showed significant reduction Our data suggest feature colonizing other host tissues. with potential cell may represent mechanism both