Intimin

• UniProt: P43261

Intimin is a protein which is secreted by pathogenic E. coli strains and bacteria of the genus Citrobacter by secretion. It is necessary for adhesion ( adherence ) of the bacteria to the intestinal mucosa, making it one of the adhesins. Furthermore, it acts as a membrane channel in intestinal cells, which helps the bacteria can inject additional proteins.

Intimin passes using the type III secretion system to the surface of the bacterial cell. For the overall process leading to lesions other proteins of the bacterium are required.

Intimin belongs to a family of transport proteins, which also includes the invasin of Yersinia bacteria is counted.

Differences human and bovine

While an enterohemorrhagic colitis can develop in humans in the further course of infection, contributes cattle in the absence of a receptor to the possibility of dropping such bacteria without symptoms and they can transmit over their manure on the human food chain. The complex process may, however, affect also pathogenic in animals.