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Related Experiment Videos

Pili in gram-positive pathogens.

John L Telford1, Michèle A Barocchi, Immaculada Margarit

  • 1Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics Srl, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. john_telford@chiron.com

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|June 17, 2006
PubMed
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Most bacterial pathogens use pili for host tissue adhesion. Gram-positive bacteria uniquely form these pili through covalent polymerization, often acquiring the necessary genes via horizontal gene transfer on pathogenicity islands.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Bacterial pathogens possess filamentous pili or fimbriae crucial for host tissue adhesion and colonization.
  • Gram-negative bacteria assemble pili via non-covalent interactions of pilin subunits.
  • Gram-positive pathogens exhibit distinct pili formed by covalent polymerization of pilin subunits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the assembly mechanism of pili in gram-positive pathogens.
  • To understand the genetic basis of pilus formation in streptococcal pathogens.
  • To explore the role of horizontal gene transfer in the acquisition of pilus assembly genes.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of pilin subunit structures and assembly mechanisms.
  • Genetic studies on genes encoding pilin subunits and assembly enzymes in streptococci.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Investigation of pathogenicity islands as a source of pilus-related genes.

    • Main Results:

    • Gram-positive pili are formed by covalent polymerization of adhesive pilin subunits, differing from gram-negative pili.
    • Genes for pilin subunits and assembly enzymes in key human streptococcal pathogens are often acquired together.
    • Evidence suggests horizontal transfer of a pathogenicity island is responsible for acquiring these pilus-related genes en bloc.

    Conclusions:

    • Pilus formation in gram-positive pathogens involves a distinct covalent polymerization mechanism.
    • Horizontal gene transfer, specifically via pathogenicity islands, plays a significant role in the evolution of virulence factors like pili in gram-positive bacteria.
    • Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing strategies against bacterial infections.