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Type IV pili and cell motility
Author(s) -
Wall Daniel,
Kaiser Dale
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01339.x
Subject(s) - pilus , myxococcus xanthus , biology , flagellum , biofilm , fimbria , motility , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , biophysics , biochemistry , escherichia coli , genetics , gene , mutant
Type IV pili (Tfp) mediate the movement of bacteria over surfaces without the use of flagella. These movements are known as social gliding in Myxococcus xanthus and twitching in organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria gonorrhoeae . Tfp are localized polarly. Type IV pilins have a signature N‐terminal domain, which forms a coiled‐coil with other monomer units to polymerize a pilus fibre. At least 10 more proteins at the base of the fibre are conserved; they are related to the type II secretion system. Movements produced by Tfp range from short, jerky displacements to lengthy, smooth ones. Tfp also participate in cell–cell interactions, pathogenesis, biofilm formation, natural DNA uptake, auto‐aggregation of cells and development. What is the means by which Tfp bring about the movement of cells?