Motor-independent retraction of type IV pili is governed by an inherent property of the pilus filament.

ABSTRACT: Type IV pili (T4P) are dynamic surface appendages that promote virulence, biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, and motility in diverse bacterial species. Pilus dynamic activity is best characterized in T4P that use distinct ATPase motors for pilus extension and retraction. Many T4P systems, however, lack a dedicated retraction motor, and the mechanism underlying this motor-independent retraction remains a mystery. Using the Vibrio cholerae competence pilus as a model system, we identify mutations in the major pilin gene that enhance motor-independent retraction. These mutants likely diminish pilin-pilin interactions within the filament to produce less-stable pili. One mutation adds a bulky residue to α1C, a universally conserved feature of T4P. We found that inserting a bulk

SUBMITTER: Chlebek JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8617508 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature