Structure and assembly of Gram-positive bacterial pili: unique covalent polymers.

Hae Joo Kang, Edward N Baker

School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.

Current opinion in structural biology 2012 Apr

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Bacterial pili are long, multi-subunit protein assemblies that extend from bacterial surfaces, mediating adhesion and colonisation. The recently characterised pili expressed by Gram-positive pathogens represent a novel variation; completely covalent polymers in which sortase-mediated isopeptide bonds link successive pilin subunits. Recent structural studies of the component pilins have revealed a common pattern of tandem immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, joined end-on-end. This long thin assembly is further stabilised by autocatalytically generated isopeptide bond crosslinks within the domains, joining Lys and Asn(or Asp) side chains. Specialised subunits at the tip and the base complete the assembly, with the tip pilins presenting novel adhesive structures. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Hae Joo Kang, Edward N Baker. Structure and assembly of Gram-positive bacterial pili: unique covalent polymers. Current opinion in structural biology. 2012 Apr;22(2):200-7