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Regulation of type 1 pili expression as exemplified by Escherichia coli strain m17

V L Chesnokova1, P Rieger, E V Sokurenko

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Russian University of Peoples' Friendship, Moscow. iovtvhev@aha.ru

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
|January 10, 2002
PubMed

Insights

The fimH gene in E. coli influences type 1 fimbria morphology and cell piliation. Contrary to expectations, this gene negatively impacts piliation, reducing the number of piliated cells observed.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Type 1 fimbriae are crucial for E. coli adhesion and colonization.
  • The fimH gene is known to be involved in fimbrial expression and function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulatory role of the fimH gene on type 1 fimbria morphology and cell piliation in E. coli strain M17.
  • To clarify the effect of fimH on the percentage of piliated cells and individual cell piliation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of E. coli strain M17 and its derivatives.
  • Examination of morphological characteristics of type 1 fimbriae.
  • Assessment of cell piliation levels.

Main Results:

  • The fimH gene was found to regulate the morphological characteristics of type 1 fimbriae.
  • fimH demonstrated a negative regulatory effect on cell piliation.
  • A decrease in the percentage of piliated cells and individual cell piliation was observed.

Conclusions:

  • The study findings contradict the presumed positive regulatory role of fimH.
  • fimH acts as a negative regulator impacting E. coli piliation and fimbrial morphology.

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