Chain formation mediated by Escherichia coli immunoglobulin-binding proteins EibD and EibG depends on expression levels and localization of proteins.

ABSTRACT: Escherichia coli expresses immunoglobulin-binding proteins (Eib), a subgroup of trimeric autotransporter adhesins (TAA). Subtypes of Eib proteins mediate unique chain-like adherence patterns and autoaggregation. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying chain formation by EibG and EibD; a chain-forming phenotype of the latter has not been previously described. Using constitutive expression systems, we demonstrate that moderate-level expression of EibG and EibD lead primarily to chain formation, whereas higher expression levels predominantly result in clump formation. Notably, chain and clump formation are not mutually exclusive and can occur simultaneously. Selective deletion of the full head domain, but not the N-terminal domain alone, abolished chain formation, highlighting its c

SUBMITTER: Swiatek LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12511318 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature