Akila U Pilapitiya, Lilian Hor, Jing Pan, Lakshmi C Wijeyewickrema, Robert N Pike, Denisse L Leyton, Jason J Paxman, Begoña Heras
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) is a significant cause of diarrhea, leading to high infant mortality rates. A key toxin produced by EPEC is the EspC autotransporter, which is regulated alongside genes from the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), which collectively result in the characteristic attaching and effacing lesions on the intestinal epithelium. In this study, we present the crystal structure of the EspC passenger domain (αEspC) revealing a toxin comprised a serine protease attached to a large β-helix with additional subdomains. Using various modified EspC expression constructs, alongside type III secretion system-mediated cell internalization assays, we dissect how the αEspC structural features enable toxin entry into the intestinal epithelium to cause cell cytotoxicity.
期刊介绍：
The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in human physiology, influencing various aspects of health and disease such as nutrition, obesity, brain function, allergic responses, immunity, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer development, cardiac disease, liver disease, and more.
Gut Microbes serves as a platform for showcasing and discussing state-of-the-art research related to the microorganisms present in the intestine. The journal emphasizes mechanistic and cause-and-effect studies. Additionally, it has a counterpart, Gut Microbes Reports, which places a greater focus on emerging topics and comparative and incremental studies.
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