E. coli CNF1 toxin: a two-in-one system for host-cell invasion

Int J Med Microbiol. 2004 Apr;293(7-8):513-8. doi: 10.1078/1438-4221-00295.

Abstract

The cytotoxic necrotizing factor-1 (CNF1), a bacterial toxin of uropathogenic bacteria (UPEC), hijacks cellular Rho proteins of the Ras GTPase super-family. Recently, we have made three important findings. First, we have established that, following Rho protein activation by deamidation, these cellular proteins are ubiquitylated and degraded by the proteasome. Second, the low level of activated Rho proteins which results from the dual molecular mechanism of action of CNF1 (Rho protein activation followed by their degradation), confers high invasive properties to UPECs. Finally, we have reported that ubiquitylation and degradation of Rac is lost in HEp-2 carcinoma cells, thereby suggesting a possible link between Rho protein ubiquitylation and tumor progression.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Cytotoxins / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins*
  • Humans
  • Multienzyme Complexes / metabolism
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • Ubiquitin / metabolism
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*
  • Virulence
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Cytotoxins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Multienzyme Complexes
  • Ubiquitin
  • cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins