Part:BBa_K3450007

β-intimin Neae: Intimin is an important virulence factor of EHEC and mediates intimate adhesion

The N-terminus of β-intimin, termed Neae, is a stable transmembrane base, facilitating the display of proteins fused to its C-terminus on E. coli’s surface. It is derived from the cell surface adhesin β-intimin from enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), responsible for binding to the Type III Secretion System effector Tir (Translocated Intimin Receptor), displayed on the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells.

When used to display proteins, β-intimin exhibited the ability to serve as a non-toxigenic base that did not leave its chassis susceptible to membrane damage. It has been used to display single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) on E. coli’s surface, directing the adhesion of its chassis to in vivo tumour cells bearing target antigens.