Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves complement system proteins and contributes to Escherichia coli human serum resistance

C1q cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C1q in 24 hours. Degradation products of C1q were observed in 24 hours, but not in 5 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C3 and C3b cleavages by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C3 and C3b. Degradation products of these molecules were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C4 cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C4. Degradation products were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C4b cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C4b. Degradation products were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C5 cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C5. Degradation products were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C6 cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C6. Degradation products were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C7 cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C7. Degradation products were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C8 cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C8 in 24 hours. Degradation products of C8 were observed in 24 hours, but not in 5 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C9 cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) cleaves C9. Degradation products were observed in 5 and 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. C9 pore cleavage by Pet (.pdf): Plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet) inhibits C9 polymerization. Degradation products were observed in 24 hours by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. Furthermore, Pet inhibits C9 polymerization. HB101 and serum resistance in presence of Pet (.pdf): Escherichia coli HB101 serum resistance in presence of Pet. The results show that HB101 survives in pre-treated human sera with Pet and by heat, but not in non-treated serum after 30 minutes at list.