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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 26, 2026

High Resolution Electron Microscopy of the Helicobacter pylori Cag Type IV Secretion System Pili Produced in Varying Conditions of Iron Availability
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Pilus Assembly in Gram-Positive Bacteria.

Werner Pansegrau1, Fabio Bagnoli2

  • 1GSK Vaccines, Siena, Italy. werner.x.pansegrau@gsk.com.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|February 6, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Gram-positive bacterial pili are surface structures built from polypeptide subunits. These pili feature unique intramolecular bonds, providing stability and potential as vaccine components against pathogens.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Pili are essential surface appendages in Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Their assembly involves sortase-catalyzed transpeptidation and peptidoglycan anchoring.
  • Intramolecular isopeptide bonds contribute to pilus stability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the assembly and structural properties of Gram-positive bacterial pili.
  • To explore the functional roles of pili in bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.
  • To discuss the potential of pilus components as vaccine antigens.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of pilus biogenesis pathways in Gram-positive bacteria.
  • Investigation of sortase enzyme activity in pilus assembly.
  • Characterization of the mechanical and chemical stability conferred by isopeptide bonds.

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Main Results:

  • Pili are assembled via sortase-mediated covalent linkage of polypeptide subunits.
  • Intramolecular isopeptide bonds significantly enhance the structural integrity of pili.
  • Pili play crucial roles in bacterial cell adhesion and biofilm development.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding pilus structure and assembly is key to targeting Gram-positive pathogens.
  • Pilus components represent promising candidates for developing novel vaccines against bacterial infections.