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Cited by 20Escherichia coli research studiesBacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyEvolution and Genetic Dynamics

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Going for baroque at the Escherichia coli K1 cell surface

King, Michael R., Steenbergen, Susan M., Vimr, Eric R.·2007·Trends in Microbiology
DOI 10.1016/j.tim.2007.03.006
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Abstract

Phase variation is usually thought of as the stochastic switching between alternatively expressed ('on') and unexpressed ('off') phenotypic states. However, coupling synthesis of a monotonous homopolysaccharide to a mechanism of random but incomplete chemical modification produces almost infinite structural variation. Potentially limitless variability implies that evolution can produce highly ornate or extravagant flourishes reminiscent of the baroque style. Here, we describe an analysis of capsular polysialic acid form variation in Escherichia coli K1, demonstrating that the large number of variant structures is controlled by a single contingency locus. The mechanism for generating maximum structural diversity from maximal genetic parsimony is conferred by a simple translational switch carried on a K1-specific prophage.

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  • E. coli K1 utilizes its K1 polysialic acid capsule as a molecular shield, mimicking host structures such as neural cell adhesion molecule, camouflaging it from complement and phagocytes.

    “Escherichia coli K1, a leading cause of neonatal meningitis, utilizes its K1 polysialic acid capsule as a molecular shield. This capsule mimics host structures, such as the neural cell adhesion molecule, effectively camouflaging the bacterium from the host’s complement system and phagocytes (14).”

    From Pathogen detection in acellular cerebrospinal fluid: diagnostic insights from a pediatric cohort in Colombia (2026) · cites this paper as [14]

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Metadata

Authors
King, M. R., Steenbergen, S. M., & Vimr, E. R.
Affiliations
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
Venue
Trends in Microbiology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-05
Volume
15
Issue
5
Pages
196-202
ISSN
0966-842X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.tim.2007.03.006
OpenAlex
W1992276348
Cited by
20
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Trends in Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Bristol
  • National Institutes of Health (1r15ai043025-01)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (AI43025)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Escherichia coli research studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Keywords
phase variation, Escherichia coli K1, prophages, capsular switching
MeSH terms
Acetyltransferases, Escherichia coli, Sialic Acids, Molecular Structure, Bacterial Capsules

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