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Publication Abstract from PubMed

Bacteria have evolved a variety of mechanisms for developing community-based biofilms. These bacterial aggregates are of clinical importance, as they are a major source of recurrent disease. Bacterial surface fibers (pili) permit adherence to biotic and abiotic substrates, often in a highly specific manner. The Escherichia coli common pilus (ECP) represents a remarkable family of extracellular fibers that are associated with both disease-causing and commensal strains. ECP plays a dual role in early-stage biofilm development and host cell recognition. Despite being the most common fimbrial structure, relatively little is known regarding its biogenesis, architecture, and function. Here we report atomic-resolution insight into the biogenesis and architecture of ECP. We also derive a structural model for entwined ECP fibers that not only illuminates interbacteria communication during biofilm formation but also provides a useful foundation for the design of novel nanofibers.

Structural insights into the biogenesis and biofilm formation by the Escherichia coli common pilus.,Garnett JA, Martinez-Santos VI, Saldana Z, Pape T, Hawthorne W, Chan J, Simpson PJ, Cota E, Puente JL, Giron JA, Matthews S Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Mar 6;109(10):3950-5. Epub 2012 Feb 21. PMID:22355107^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.