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Type IV pili and cell motility

  1. Daniel Wall,
  2. Dale Kaiser

Article first published online: 1 MAR 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01339.x

Issue

Molecular Microbiology

Molecular Microbiology

Volume 32, Issue 1, pages 01–10, April 1999

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How to Cite

Wall, D. and Kaiser, D. (1999), Type IV pili and cell motility. Molecular Microbiology, 32: 01–10. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01339.x

Author Information

  1. Departments of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

*Daniel Wall. E-mail dwall@cmgm.stanford.edu; Tel. (+1) 650 723 5685; Fax (+1) 650 725 7739.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 1 MAR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 1 MAR 2002

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Type IV pili (Tfp) mediate the movement of bacteria over surfaces without the use of flagella. These movements are known as social gliding in Myxococcus xanthus and twitching in organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Tfp are localized polarly. Type IV pilins have a signature N-terminal domain, which forms a coiled-coil with other monomer units to polymerize a pilus fibre. At least 10 more proteins at the base of the fibre are conserved; they are related to the type II secretion system. Movements produced by Tfp range from short, jerky displacements to lengthy, smooth ones. Tfp also participate in cell–cell interactions, pathogenesis, biofilm formation, natural DNA uptake, auto-aggregation of cells and development. What is the means by which Tfp bring about the movement of cells?

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