# Comparative label-free proteomics of the neonatal meningitis-causing Escherichia coli K1 IHE3034 and RS218 morphotypes

## TL;DR

This study compares the protein profiles of two Escherichia coli strains that cause neonatal meningitis, revealing differences in their survival strategies.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is the use of label-free proteomics to uncover distinct evolutionary strategies in two neonatal meningitis-causing E. coli morphotypes.

## Key findings

- Strain IHE3034 continuously performs anaerobic respiration.
- Strain RS218 maintains a filamentous shape due to an active SOS response.

## Abstract

The proteome of two newborn meningitis Escherichia coli K1 (NMEC) morphotypes was examined via a label-free proteomics approach. Besides shared NMEC virulence factors, the two strains have different evolutionary strategies—strain IHE3034 tends to perform anaerobic respiration continuously, while strain RS218 maintains its filamentous morphotype due to active SOS response.