An IncI1 plasmid contributes to the adherence of the atypical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strain C1096 to cultured cells and abiotic surfaces.

ABSTRACT: Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is defined by a characteristic "stacked-brick" aggregative adherence (AA) pattern to cultured cells. In well-studied EAEC prototype strains (called typical EAEC strains), the AA phenotype requires aggregative adherence fimbriae (AAFs). However, previous studies suggest that known AAF alleles are not found in all EAEC strains. To define mechanisms contributing to adherence in an atypical strain, we studied EAEC strain C1096. An E. coli K12 derivative carrying two plasmids, designated pSERB1 and pSERB2, from C1096 adhered to cell lines and exhibited an AA pattern. Nucleotide sequence analysis of pSERB1 indicated that it is related to plasmids of the IncI1 incompatibility group. These plasmids encode genes involved in pilus-mediated conjugal transfer,

SUBMITTER: Dudley EG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1418932 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature