Obstruction of pilus retraction stimulates bacterial surface sensing

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Courtney K. Ellison, Indiana University; Jingbo Kan, Brooklyn College; Rebecca S. Dillard, Emory University; David T. Kysela, Indiana University; Adrien Ducret, Université Lyon; Cecile Berne, Indiana University; Cheri M. Hampton, Emory University; Zunlong Ke, Emory University; Elizabeth R. Wright, Emory University; Nicolas Biais, Brooklyn College; Ankur B. Dalia, Indiana University; Yves V. Brun, Indiana University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-10-27
• Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 American Association for the Advancement of Science. All rights reserved. AAAS is a partner of HINARI, AGORA, OARE, CHORUS, CLOCKSS, CrossRef and COUNTER.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aan5706
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Science
• ISSN: 0036-8075
• Volume: 358
• Issue: 6362
• Start Page: 535
• End Page: 538
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by grants R01GM102841, R01GM51986, and R35GM122556 from the National Institutes of Health to YVB, by grant AI118863 from the National Institutes of Health to ABD, by National Science Foundation fellowship 1342962 to CKE, and by grant AI116566 from the National Institutes of Health to NB.; This work was supported in part by grants R01GM104540 and R01GM104540-03S1 from the National Institutes of Health, NSF grant 0923395, and grants from Emory University, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Center for AIDS Research at Emory University (P30 AI050409), James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust to E.R.W.
• Keywords: ATTACHMENT; Multidisciplinary Sciences; PSEUDOMONAS-AERUGINOSA; Science & Technology; IV PILI; Science & Technology - Other Topics; FLAGELLA; RESPONSE REGULATOR; VIRULENCE; CAULOBACTER-CRESCENTUS
• Research Categories: Chemistry, Biochemistry; Biology, Microbiology

Abstract

It is critical for bacteria to recognize surface contact and initiate physiological changes required for surface-associated lifestyles. Ubiquitous microbial appendages called pili are involved in sensing surfaces and facilitating downstream behaviors, but the mechanism by which pili mediate surface sensing has been unclear.We visualized Caulobacter crescentus pili undergoing dynamic cycles of extension and retraction. Within seconds of surface contact, these cycles ceased, which coincided with synthesis of the adhesive holdfast required for attachment. Physically blocking pili imposed resistance to pilus retraction, which was sufficient to stimulate holdfast synthesis without surface contact. Thus, to sense surfaces, bacteria use the resistance on retracting, surface-bound pili that occurs upon surface contact.