Stress-Induced Catch-Bonds to Enhance Bacterial Adhesion

Abstract

Physical forces have a profound influence on bacterial cell physiology and disease. A striking example is the formation of catch-bonds that reinforce under mechanical stress. While mannose-binding by the Escherichia coli FimH adhesin has long been the only thoroughly studied microbial catch-bond, it has recently become clear that proteins from other species, such as staphylococci, are also engaged in such stress-dependent interactions.

Keywords: bacterial adhesion; catch-bonds; shear stress; single-molecules; staphylococci.