Mutations in type I and type IV pilus biosynthetic genes affect twitching motility rates in Xylella fastidiosa

J Bacteriol. 2007 Oct;189(20):7507-10. doi: 10.1128/JB.00934-07. Epub 2007 Aug 10.

Abstract

Xylella fastidiosa possesses both type I and type IV pili at the same cell pole. By use of a microfluidic device, the speed of twitching movement by wild-type cells on a glass surface against the flow direction of media was measured as 0.86 (standard error [SE], 0.04) microm min(-1). A type I pilus mutant (fimA) moved six times faster (4.85 [SE, 0.27] microm min(-1)) and a pilY1 mutant moved three times slower (0.28 [SE, 0.03] microm min(-1)) than wild-type cells. Type I pili slow the rate of movement, while the putative type IV pilus protein PilY1 is likely important for attachment to surfaces.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Fimbriae Proteins / genetics
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / ultrastructure
  • Locomotion / genetics
  • Locomotion / physiology
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Mutation
  • Xylella / genetics*
  • Xylella / physiology
  • Xylella / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • fimbrillin
  • Fimbriae Proteins