Our group studies the avian extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strain IMT5155 and its interaction with the chicken host. During the previous funding period the novel adhesin Yqi was identified. So far, yqi was only known by gene sequence analysis to have similarity to other adhesins in the course of a genomic analyses, but our group was the first to prove its functional role during in vivo pathogenesis in the natural chicken host. Furthermore, this adhesin is specific to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains and is not harboured by a single known intestinal pathogen. Here we intend to define the role of Yqi in host-pathogen interactions in more detail. In this project we aim to functionally characterize Yqi by analysing its regulation, structure and natural receptor in the chicken host. The proposed project will lead to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the crucial first line interaction between the pathogen and its host in the lung, the natural port of entry. As APEC are also zoonotic pathogens, the research is of substantial importance in the field of medical microbiology.

Teilprojekt eines DFG-Graduiertenkollegs
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