Evidence for the Type IV Pilus Retraction Motor PilT as a Component of the Surface Sensing System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Constance J. Geiger, George A. O’Toole
Abstract
T4P are cellular appendages that allow P. aeruginosa to sense a surface, leading to the production of cAMP. This second messenger not only activates virulence pathways but leads to further surface adaptation and irreversible attachment of cells. Here, we demonstrate the importance of the retraction motor PilT in surface sensing. We also present a new surface sensing model in P. aeruginosa whereby the T4P retraction motor PilT senses and transmits the surface signal, likely via its ATPase domain and interaction with PilJ, to mediate production of the second messenger cAMP.
Topics & Concepts
PilusPseudomonas aeruginosaBiofilmSecond messenger systemBiologyMicrobiologyCell biologyBiophysicsBacteriaIntracellularVirulenceBiochemistryGeneGeneticsBacterial biofilms and quorum sensingBacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyBiochemical and Structural Characterization