Discovery of new genes involved in curli production by uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the most common cause of urinary tract infection. Curli are extracellular amyloid fibres that enhance UPEC virulence by their capacity to mediate adhesion and biofilm formation. In this study, we examined the function and regulation of curli in the UPEC pyelonephritis strain MS7163 that expressed these fibres at human physiological temperature. We also performed a large genetic screen and identified multiple genes involved in curli production, including several genes that were novel or poorly characterized with respect to curli synthesis.