Protein Domain : Type III secretion protein EspF IPR006891

Type	Repeat
Description	Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli O127:H6 attaches to the intestinal mucosa through actin pedestals that are created after it has injected the Type III secretion protein EspF (E. coli secreted protein F-like protein from prophage U) into the cells. EspF recruits the actin machinery by activating the WASP (Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein) family of actin nucleating factors [ ]. Subsequent cell-death (apoptosis) is caused by EspF being targeted to the mitochondria as a consequence of its mitochondrial targeting sequence. Import into mitochondria leads to a loss of membrane potential, leakage of cytochrome c and activation of the apoptotic caspase cascade. Mutation of leucine to glutamic at position 16 of EspF (L16E) resulted in the failure of EspF import into mitochondria; mitochondrial membrane potential was not affected and cell death abolished. This suggests that the targeting of EspF to mitochondria is essential for bacterial pathogenesis and apoptosis [, ].
Short Name	T3SS_EspF