Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells
05:57

In Vitro Assay of Bacterial Adhesion onto Mammalian Epithelial Cells

Published on: May 16, 2011

Role of bundle-forming pilus of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in host cell adherence and in microcolony

T Tobe1, C Sasakawa

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan. torutobe@bact.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

Cellular Microbiology
|September 13, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Bundle-forming pili (BFP) on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) initially attach bacteria directly to host cells. These pili then disappear as microcolonies expand, suggesting a role in early infection stages.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) colonizes epithelial cells, forming microcolonies.
  • Bundle-forming pili (BFP) are crucial for EPEC autoaggregation and microcolony formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamic role of BFP during EPEC adherence and microcolony development on epithelial cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which BFP mediates initial bacterial attachment.

Main Methods:

  • Observation of BFP expression and microcolony expansion on epithelial cells.
  • Induction of bacterial dispersal and BFP release using host cellular membrane extract.
  • Assessment of EPEC adherence preference to cell surfaces versus pre-formed microcolonies.

Main Results:

  • BFP expression decreased as EPEC microcolonies expanded on epithelial cells.
  • Host cellular membrane extract induced bacterial dispersal and BFP release.
  • BFP-expressing EPEC preferentially adhered directly to host cell surfaces over existing microcolonies.

Conclusions:

  • BFP mediate initial EPEC attachment to host cells through direct interaction.
  • BFP's role shifts from initial attachment to dispersal as microcolonies mature.
  • This mechanism highlights BFP's importance in the early stages of EPEC infection.

More Related Videos

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification10:05

Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification

Published on: May 6, 2018

Amikacin Protection Assay for Quantification and Visualization of Escherichia coli Cell Invasion09:22

Amikacin Protection Assay for Quantification and Visualization of Escherichia coli Cell Invasion

Published on: July 3, 2026

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation01:39

Mechanism of Filopodia Formation

Filopodia are thin, actin-rich cellular protrusions that play an important role in many fundamental cellular functions. They vary in their occurrence, length, and positioning in different cell types, suggesting their diverse roles.
Their main function is to guide migrating cells during normal tissue morphogenesis or cancer metastasis by recognizing and making initial contacts with the extracellular matrix. However, they can also act as stationary cell anchors or help to establish communication...
Adherens Junctions01:24

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types –  adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as  epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as  heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments01:28

Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
Mechanism of Conjugation01:19

Mechanism of Conjugation

Bacterial conjugation is a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer that enables the exchange of genetic material between bacterial cells through direct contact. This process is facilitated by a donor cell carrying a conjugative plasmid, which encodes genes necessary for pilus formation, DNA replication, and transfer. The conjugative plasmid plays a central role in initiating and executing the transfer of genetic material.The tra region of the conjugative plasmid encodes proteins responsible for...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...