DNA sequence of type 1 fimbrin, Fpul1, gene from a chicken pathogenic Escherichia coli serotype O78

The gene encoding type 1 fimbriae of chicken pathogenic Escherichia coli serotype O78 (designated Fpul1) was cloned and the genetic region encoding fimbrial subunit was sequenced. The nucleotide sequence and its deduced amino acid sequence demonstrated that the Fpul1 was a novel variation among E. coli type 1 fimbriae and showed an extensive homology to previously reported Klebsiella pneumoniae type 1 fimbriae. The E. coli K-12 strains carrying the Fpul1 genes did not show the acid-induced autoagglutination, suggesting that the Fpul1 was genetically distinct from the acid-induced autoagglutination.