Around 80% of infections of the urinary tract are caused by the Escherichia coli bacteria, gram-negative rod-like bacteria. Although these bacteria form part of normal intestinal flora, virulent types can penetrate the bladder via the urethra and lead to urinary tract infections. These infections occur more often in women than in men and account for a large number of hospital-acquired infections, especially in the case of catheterized patients. Treatment consists of using existing antibiotics. However, the current generation of antibiotics is losing its power to fight these bacteria. Especially problematic are recurrent infections. There is an urgent need for new antibiotics.

Bacteria adhere to the cells of the urinary bladder

Bacteria can adhere to a surface due to their hair-like structures, known as pili or fimbriae. In the case of uropathogenic E. coli, type 1 pili occur which consist of four different sub-entities. The biosynthesis (formation) of these pili takes place through a conserved mechanism (the chaperone/usher biosynthesis route). As type 1 pili are responsible for the uropathogenic E. coli adhering to the host cells, these are promising targets for new antibacterials.

Structural biological techniques to investigate pili formation

Han Remaut, together with colleagues working for the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, University of London, is investigating the mechanism responsible for the biosynthesis of these pili. For this purpose, they are using X-ray diffraction -- the standard technique for determining the structure of proteins. Detailed knowledge about the structure of proteins is necessary to gain an insight into how they function.

Han Remaut and colleagues were the first to successfully image the assembly complex leading to pili biosynthesis. Furthermore, this is also the first snapshot of a protein transporter in action.

New antibiotics for the treatment of infections of the urinary tract

This detailed knowledge about the biosynthesis of type 1 pili from E. coli can form the basis for the development of medicines which block the formation of the pili. If bacteria can no longer cling to the epithelial cells of the bladder, they will no longer be able to cause an infection. The mechanism responsible for E.coli attaching to the bladder is also used by other bacteria. As a result, this research can also contribute to the fight against other infectious diseases such as food poisoning or traveler's diarrhea.

This research was carried out by Han Remaut who heads a research group in the VIB Department for Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in close collaboration with the research group of Gabriel Waksman at the Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College/UCL, London.

The research was funded by VIB and the Odysseus programme of the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) -- Flanders.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

• Kidney Disease
• Infectious Diseases
• Urology
• Healthy Aging
• Foodborne Illness
• Women's Health

• Escherichia coli
• Urinary tract infection
• Vulvovaginal health
• Urology
• Pathogen
• Upper respiratory tract infection