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Structure of Clostridium difficile PilJ exhibits unprecedented divergence from known type IV pilins

Kurt H Piepenbrink1, Grace A Maldarelli, Claudia F Martinez de la Peña

  • 1From the Institute of Human Virology.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|December 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Researchers revealed the structure of PilJ, a protein from Gram-positive bacteria like Clostridium difficile. This finding offers new insights into how these bacteria build and use Type IV pili for infection.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Structural Biology
  • Bacteriology

Background:

  • Type IV pili are crucial for pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, mediating motility, adhesion, and colonization.
  • Emerging evidence highlights Type IV pilus production in Gram-positive bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the three-dimensional structure of the Gram-positive Type IV pilin, PilJ.
  • To investigate the assembly and function of Type IV pili in Clostridium difficile.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography was used to determine the 3D structure of PilJ.
  • Biochemical and genetic methods were employed to demonstrate PilJ incorporation into C. difficile pili.

Main Results:

  • The first 3D structure of a Gram-positive Type IV pilin, PilJ, was elucidated.
  • PilJ exhibits unique structural features, including a dual-pilin fold and a structural zinc ion.
  • PilJ is confirmed to be incorporated into Type IV pili in C. difficile.

Conclusions:

  • The structure of PilJ provides novel insights into Gram-positive Type IV pilus biogenesis.
  • A model is proposed where PilJ incorporation creates a new interaction surface on C. difficile pili.
  • This work expands our understanding of Type IV pili in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens.
Keywords:
Bacterial AdhesionMicrobiologyMicrofilamentsProtein AssemblyProtein Structure

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