A bacterial sense of touch: T4P retraction motor as a means of surface sensing by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> PA14.

ABSTRACT: Most microbial cells found in nature exist in matrix-covered, surface-attached communities known as biofilms. This mode of growth is initiated by the ability of the microbe to sense a surface on which to grow. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) PA14 utilizes a single polar flagellum and type 4 pili (T4P) to sense surfaces. For Pa, T4P-dependent "twitching" motility is characterized by effectively pulling the cell across a surface through a complex process of cooperative binding, pulling, and unbinding. T4P retraction is powered by hexameric ATPases. Pa cells that have engaged a surface increase production of the second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP) over multiple generations via the Pil-Chp system. This rise in cAMP allows cells and their progen

SUBMITTER: Geiger CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11270903 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature