1.

The Escherichia coli uropathogenic specific protein Usp, is a bacteriocin-like genotoxin

Protein Usp is a virulence factor that induces genome damage/fragmentation, rearrangement of the cytoskeleton as well as apoptostit of cells of human cell lines. Due to its genotoxic activity, usp could involved in chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract and in cancer.

COBISS.SI-ID: 2871119

2.

The Escherichia coli uropathogenic-specific-protein-associated immunity protein 3 (Imu3) has nucleic acid-binding activity

The Imu1-3 proteins of E. coli strains that produce Usp protect the producer against the latters nuclease acitivity. Optimal protection is provided when al three Imu proteins are present however, none forms a tight complex with the Usp protein. Imu3 protects the producer via nonspecific binding to DNA.

COBISS.SI-ID: 3037263

3.

DNA damage repair and bacterial pathogens

All organisms have mechanisms that repair damaged DNA. One of the most significant bacterial mechanisms is the SOS response. Even though the SOS response is involved in DNA damage repair when damage is extensive the response induces mutagenesis to accelerate evolution and dissemination of antibiotic resistances and virulence factors. On the other hand, bacteria by inducing an infammatory response and production of genotoxins such as Usp, also inflict genome damage in humans and animals that promote cancer.

COBISS.SI-ID: 2968911

4.

Prevalence and associations of tcpC, a gene encoding a Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing protein, among Escherichia coli urinary tract infection, skin and soft tissue infection, and commensal isolates.

TcpC, a new Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing protein of uropathogenic Escherichia coli is involved in the suppression of innate immunity. The prevalence of tcpC and its association with virulence factors and phylogenetic groups was investigated among strains from a collection of 212 E. coli isolates from urinary tract and skin and soft tissue infections and 90 commensal E. coli strains. Prevalence of tcpC sequences among UTI and SSTI isoaltes was 21 and 25%, respectively, while among SSTI it was 8%. Statistically significant associations were found between the presence of tcpC and cnf1, hlyA and usp.

COBISS.SI-ID: 2164303

5.

Interconversion between bound and free conformations of LexA orchestrates the bacterial SOS response

The conformational flexibility of unbound LexA is the key element in establishing a co-ordinated SOS response. While LexA exhibits diverse dissociation rates from operators, it interacts extremely rapidly with DNA target sites. Modulation of LexA activity changes the occurrence of persister cells that tolerate antibiotics in bacterial populations.

COBISS.SI-ID: 2368847