Characterisation of the Gram-Negative Bacterial Autotransporter Secretion Mechanism

Many Gram-negative pathogens export proteins via the autotransporter secretion mechanism. In many ways this is the least understood of the bacterial export pathways. This extremely efficient mechanism may be the predominant means of export for organisms such at the Bordetella spp and Helicobacter pylori and is also common among the Enterobacteriaceae. <P>
This proposal outlines a research program designed to elucidate all aspects of autotransporter secretion: inner membrane, periplasmic and outer membrane translocation.
The research will utilise our candidate autotransporter, Pet, a toxin of Escherichia coli and we will then extend our observations to other autotransporters. <P>
This research will result in general contributions to bacterial pathogenesis and will provide the information to determine if autotransporters offer potential as antigen delivery vehicles.