3d). The negative autoaggregation strain KI1218 showed diffuse adherence (DA) (Table 2). All strains belonging to bfpA types 2, 3 and 6 were in category +++. As for bfpA type 1 strains, 3 strains were in category ++ and 2 strains in category +. In most of the type 4 strains autoaggregation was weak or there was none, but one strain with the serotype O157:H45 showed autoaggregation of category ++ (Table 2). All strains negative for autoaggregation

were the bfpA type 4a (Table 2). Most of the strains showing weak or no autoaggregation were isolates from Japan. We examined the hemolytic activity of the representative strains in each bfpA-genotype. Figure 4 shows the percentage hemolytic activity GDC-0941 order for EPEC in each autoaggregation category relative to that of the E2348/69 strain. There were significant differences in hemolysis among categories (P < 0.02). Selected EPEC strains were examined if they produced detectable bundlin. The prototype EPEC strain E2348/69 served as a positive

control. To identify bundlin, polyclonal antiserum (37) was used to probe whole-cell extracts from each of the EPEC strains. Antisera were affinity purified after conjugation of purified soluble α1 bundlin (37). Bundlin protein was readily detected in extracts from Rapamycin molecular weight type α (HMA-type 2), type β5 (HMA-type 3) and some type β7.1 (HMA-type 4a) strains which showed strong autoaggregation, and from type β8 (HMA-type 1 and type β7.1 (HMA-type 4a) which showed moderate autoaggregation. Bundlin was not detected in strains showing weak or no autoaggregation (Fig. 5). Transcriptional expression of the bfpA gene in the EPEC strains was also analysed by semi-quantitative RT–PCR. Electrophoresis of RT–PCR product of the bfpA gene and 16S rRNA is shown in Figure 5. Results of RT-PCR confirmed those of the Western blotting. We next examined strains by PCR for possession of the BFP-related genes bfpF and perC which are necessary for biosynthesis of bfpA (Table 2). Nearly all strains possessed both genes but 2 had neither of them. These 2 strains had the perC homologue (pch) instead and did not show any autoaggregation activity (data not shown). The perA nucleotide

sequences were converted into amino acid sequences as shown in Figure 6, with the amino acid sequences of α8 type (KI 2001) at the top. Completed perA amino-acid sequences were 274 aa in size. Strains Docetaxel mw showing marked aggregation had an intact perA sequence with exception of the strains of sequence type α1.4. Most of the strains isolated in Japan which showed weak or no aggregation had truncated perA amino-acid sequences (61 aa to 118 aa) due to a frame shift mutation in perA. The amino acid sequence of α5.1, β4.2 and β3.2 were identical to those of α5.3, β4.3, and and β3.3, respectively. The genetic similarity of the strains which were isolated in Japan was evaluated using PFGE. They were classified into six PFGE types. Serotype O157:H45 strains were classified into two types (Fig. 7).