The Sortase-Dependent Fimbriome of the Genus Bifidobacterium: Extracellular Structures with Potential To Modulate Microbe-Host Dialogue.

ABSTRACT: Bifidobacteria are important gut commensals of mammals, including humans, of any age. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these microorganisms establish themselves in the mammalian gut and persist in this environment are largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the genetic diversity of the predicted arsenal of sortase-dependent pili of known and sequenced members of the Bifidobacterium genus and constructed a bifidobacterial sortase-dependent fimbriome database. Our analyses revealed considerable genetic variability of the sortase-dependent fimbriome among bifidobacterial (sub)species, which appears to have been due to horizontal gene transfer events and for which we were able to perform evolutionary mapping. Functional assessment by transcriptome analysis and binding assays involv

SUBMITTER: Milani C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5601332 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature