Download MendeleyStructural insights into the biogenesis and biofilm formation by the Escherichia coli common pilus.
Garnett, J.A., Martinez-Santos, V.I., Saldana, Z., Pape, T., Hawthorne, W., Chan, J., Simpson, P.J., Cota, E., Puente, J.L., Giron, J.A., Matthews, S.(2012) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109: 3950-3955
- PubMed: 22355107
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1106733109
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
3QS2, 3QS3 - PubMed Abstract:
Bacteria have evolved a variety of mechanisms for developing community-based biofilms. These bacterial aggregates are of clinical importance, as they are a major source of recurrent disease. Bacterial surface fibers (pili) permit adherence to biotic and abiotic substrates, often in a highly specific manner. The Escherichia coli common pilus (ECP) represents a remarkable family of extracellular fibers that are associated with both disease-causing and commensal strains. ECP plays a dual role in early-stage biofilm development and host cell recognition. Despite being the most common fimbrial structure, relatively little is known regarding its biogenesis, architecture, and function. Here we report atomic-resolution insight into the biogenesis and architecture of ECP. We also derive a structural model for entwined ECP fibers that not only illuminates interbacteria communication during biofilm formation but also provides a useful foundation for the design of novel nanofibers.
Organizational Affiliation:
Centre for Structural Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
