Colonization factor antigen I subunit E (CfaE)

Colonization factor antigen I subunit E (CfaE) is the minor tip adhesin of the CFA/I fimbriae, a major colonization factor in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). ETEC is a significant cause of diarrheal disease globally, particularly affecting children in low-income regions and travelers. CfaE is responsible for the initial attachment of the bacteria to the host's intestinal epithelial cells, a process mediated by its N-terminal domain binding to sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates. This adhesion is a prerequisite for bacterial colonization and the subsequent delivery of enterotoxins that cause diarrhea. As a result, CfaE is a high-priority target for vaccine development, with strategies often employing donor-strand stabilized versions (dCfaE) to elicit protective immunity. Therapeutic interventions targeting CfaE aim to prevent infection by blocking the critical first step of bacterial pathogenesis.

Other names

CFA/I fimbrial adhesinMinor pilin subunit CfaECFA/I tip adhesinCfaE adhesin

Inhibition of bacterial attachment to intestinal epithelial cells by blocking the adhesin-receptor interaction or inducing neutralizing antibodies.