Many bacterial species possess long filamentous structures known as pili or fimbriae extending from their surfaces. Despite the diversity in pilus structure and biogenesis, pili in Gram-negative bacteria are typically formed by non-covalent homopolymerization of major pilus subunit proteins (pilins), which generates the pilus shaft. Additional pilins may be added to the fiber and often function as host cell adhesins. Some pili are also involved in biofilm formation, phage transduction, DNA uptake and a special form of bacterial cell movement, known as ‘twitching motility’ In contrast, the more recently discovered pili in Gram-positive bacteria are formed by covalent polymerization of pilin subunits in a process that requires a dedicated sortase enzyme. Minor pilins are added to the fiber and play a major role in host cell colonization.
This review gives an overview of the structure, assembly and function of the best-characterized pili of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
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Similar content being viewed by others Explore related subjectsDiscover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning. Author information Authors and AffiliationsSchool of Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
T. Proft
School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
E. N. Baker
Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
T. Proft & E. N. Baker
Correspondence to T. Proft.
Additional informationReceived 08 August 2008; received after revision 24 September 2008; accepted 01 October 2008
About this article Cite this articleProft, T., Baker, E.N. Pili in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria — structure, assembly and their role in disease. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 66, 613 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-008-8477-4
Published: 27 October 2008
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-008-8477-4
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