Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) is the predominant facultative organism in the human intestine. It is responsible for a number of diseases like urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis (diarrhoea), meningitis, traveler's diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis. There are a myriad of serotypes of pathogenic E. coli. Adhesion to the host cells is an important step in its pathogenesis. However, most strains are harmless and normal flora residing in the gut.
Self-associating autotransporters (SAAT). It is the extracellular passenger domain of the E. coli autotransporter which represents a branch of the type V secretion pathway. Mediates bacterial autoaggregation (Ag43 interacts with Ag43 intercellularly) and biofilm formation as well as adhesion to and invasion of mammalian cells. It causes frizzy colony morphology and cell settling.
Glycosylation Status
Glycosylation Type
O- (Ser) linked
Experimentally Validated Glycosite(s) in Full Length Protein
Ag43 protein is involved in phase variable biofilm formation. The glycosylated peptides were identified in a region of the protein composed of imperfect 19-amino-acid repeats. Glycosylation by heptoses represents a novel protein modification in eubacteria.
