Gram-positive pili are known to play a role in bacterial adhesion to epithelial cells and in the formation of biofilm microbial communities. In the present study we undertook the functional characterization of the pilus ancillary protein 1 (AP1_M6) from Streptococcus pyogenes isolates expressing the FCT-1 pilus variant, known to be strong biofilm formers. Cell binding and biofilm formation assa...

Two major classes of chromosomally encoded Escherichia coli pili have been defined functionally by their receptor specificities. Common pili are termed "mannose-sensitive" (MS). They bind Tamm-Horsfal l uromucoid and their agglutination of guinea pig erythrocytes is inhibited by o-mannose. In contrast, mannose-resistant (MR) pili agglutinate human erythrocytes in the presence of D-mannose. Most...

Disruption of a gene for an alternative sigma factor, designated sigF, in the freshwater, unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 resulted in a pleiotropic phenotype. Most notably, this mutant lost phototactic movement with a concomitant loss of pili, which are abundant on the surface of wild-type cells. The sigF mutant also secreted both high levels of yellow-brown and UV-a...

Pili have been shown to contribute to the virulence of different Gram-positive pathogenic species. Among other critical steps of bacterial pathogenesis, these structures participate in adherence to host cells, colonization and systemic virulence. Recently, the presence of at least four discrete gene clusters encoding putative pili has been revealed in the major swine pathogen and emerging zoono...

Most bacteria that colonize eukaryotes must bind directly to host cells to establish a replicative niche. In enteric bacteria, adhesion to host cells is often promoted by a lectin found on surface-localized pili. Some pili promote efficient adhesion only when they are subjected to shear stress, as found during the flow of blood over endothelium or mucous over the surface of the epithelium.

Adhesion of bacteria to mucus may favor their persistence within the gut and their beneficial effects to the host. Interactions between pig gastric mucin (PGM) and a natural isolate of Lactococcus lactis (TIL448) were measured at the single-cell scale and under static conditions, using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In parallel, these interactions were monitored at the bacterial population leve...

Objective: Pili (Canarium ovatum, Engl.) pomace is an underutilized agricultural waste that possesses great potential to be regarded as a functional food ingredient. The aim of this study was to measure the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of pili pomace drink and determine the influence of heating on these parameters. Moreover, it sought to assess the acute effects of thermally proc...