The O75X adhesin of uropathogenic Escherichia coli is a type IV collagen-binding protein

Interaction of the basement-membrane binding O75X adhesin of uropathogenic Escherichia coli with various extracellular matrix proteins was studied. The adhesin showed strong binding to type IV collagen immobilized on microtitre plates, whereas other collagens, laminin and fibronectin, were only weakly recognized. Similarly, specific binding of 125I]-labelled type IV collagen to O75X-positive bacteria was shown. Interaction of the two proteins was also demonstrated by affinity chromatography of the O75X adhesin on immobilized type IV collagen. The adhesin bound strongly to the immobilized N-terminal 7S domain of type IV collagen, and the binding of 125I]-labelled type IV collagen to O75X-positive bacteria was inhibited by the soluble 7S domain. Binding of O75X to type IV collagen and to its 7S domain was specifically inhibited by chloramphenicol but was not affected by periodate or endoglycosidase-H treatment of the glycoproteins. Our results show that the 7S domain of type IV collagen is the basement membrane receptor for the O75X adhesin and suggest an interaction based on protein-protein recognition. Inhibition of the interaction by chloramphenicol favours the supposition that a modified tyrosine is involved in the binding site.