– Virulence factor that contributes to intimate adherence of enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC) O157:H7 to host cells. Is able to cleave the secreted human mucin 7 (MUC7) and the glycoprotein 340 (DMBT1/GP340). Also cleaves human C1 inhibitor (SERPING1), a regulator of multiple inflammatory pathways, and binds and localizes it to bacterial and host cell surfaces, protecting them from complement-mediated lysis. Therefore, the current model proposes two roles for StcE during infection: it acts first as a mucinase, allowing passage of EHEC through the oral cavity by cleaving the salivary glycoproteins that are responsible for bacterial aggregation. Similarly, in the colon, StcE cleaves the glycoproteins that protect the intestinal epithelial surface, allowing EHEC to come into close contact with host cell membranes. Secondly, it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by localizing SERPING1 to cell membranes.