Identification and molecular characterization of EatA, an autotransporter protein of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains remain a formidable cause of diarrheal disease. To identify novel surface proteins of ETEC, we performed TnphoA mutagenesis of prototype ETEC strain H10407 and discovered a secreted protein not previously recognized in ETEC. DNA sequencing of the interrupted locus in mutant TnphoA.977 revealed a candidate 4,095-bp open reading frame without significant homology to commensal E. coli K-12 genomic DNA. Translation of this sequence revealed that it encoded a predicted peptide of 147.7 kDa that bears significant homology to members of the autotransporter family of bacterial virulence factors, particularly the serine protease autotransporters of the Enterobacteriaceae proteins. The gene identified in H10407, eatA (ETEC autotransporter A), encodes a

SUBMITTER: Patel SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC356008 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature