Abstract
Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the human intestine. The protein SslE is secreted by both commensal and pathogenic E. coli strains, where it can degrade major mucins in the intestine to facilitate penetration of the host mucosa. SslE is also essential for the maturation of biofilms and is fundamental for intestinal colonization in a rabbit model of enteropathogenic E. coli infection. Using cryo-electron microscopy, microbiology and intestinal epithelial infection models, this project aims to understanding the fundamental role of SslE in commensal and virulent E. coli strains.
References
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