Degradation of human fibronectin by strains of E. coli K12 carrying R factors from Klebsiella pneumoniae.
We studied the ability to degrade human fibronectin by strains of E. coli K12 carrying R factors from Klebsiella pneumoniae, previously shown to possess a caseinolytic activity. The preliminary data obtained showed that at least two of these R+ strains are able to degrade fibronectin to small peptides retaining the gelatin-binding site of the molecule. We also found indications of non-fibronectin gelatin-binding polypeptides secreted by the strains tested into the culture broth. The possible significance of this bacterial property as a factor of pathogenicity is discussed.
D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000235:genetics*; D011815:R Factors
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005353:Fibronectins; C033135:gelatin binding protein