Novel roles for the AIDA adhesin from diarrheagenic Escherichia coli: cell aggregation and biofilm formation

J Bacteriol. 2004 Dec;186(23):8058-65. doi: 10.1128/JB.186.23.8058-8065.2004.

Abstract

Diarrhea-causing Escherichia coli strains are responsible for numerous cases of gastrointestinal disease and constitute a serious health problem throughout the world. The ability to recognize and attach to host intestinal surfaces is an essential step in the pathogenesis of such strains. AIDA is a potent bacterial adhesin associated with some diarrheagenic E. coli strains. AIDA mediates bacterial attachment to a broad variety of human and other mammalian cells. It is a surface-displayed autotransporter protein and belongs to the selected group of bacterial glycoproteins; only the glycosylated form binds to mammalian cells. Here, we show that AIDA possesses self-association characteristics and can mediate autoaggregation of E. coli cells. We demonstrate that intercellular AIDA-AIDA interaction is responsible for bacterial autoaggregation. Interestingly, AIDA-expressing cells can interact with antigen 43 (Ag43)-expressing cells, which is indicative of an intercellular AIDA-Ag43 interaction. Additionally, AIDA expression dramatically enhances biofilm formation by E. coli on abiotic surfaces in flow chambers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adhesins, Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Biofilms*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Diarrhea / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / physiology

Substances

  • Adhesins, Escherichia coli