EspA is the prototypical member of this family. EspA, together with EspB, EspD and Tir are exported by a type III secretion system. These proteins are essential for attaching and effacing lesion formation. EspA is a structural protein and a major component of a large, transiently expressed, filamentous surface organelle which forms a direct link between the bacterium and the host cell [1,2].

1: A novel EspA-associated surface organelle of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli involved in protein translocation into epithelial cells. Knutton S, Rosenshine I, Pallen MJ, Nisan I, Neves BC, Bain C, Wolff C, Dougan G, Frankel G; EMBO J 1998;17:2166-2176. PMID:9545230

2: The type III protein translocation system of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli involves EspA-EspB protein interactions. Hartland EL, Daniell SJ, Delahay RM, Neves BC, Wallis T, Shaw RK, Hale C, Knutton S, Frankel G; Mol Microbiol 2000;35:1483-1492. PMID:10760148

3: Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli: cellular harassment. DeVinney R, Knoechel DG, Finlay BB; Curr Opin Microbiol 1999;2:83-88. PMID:10047555