Abstract
BackgroundCell surface pili in Gram positive bacteria have been reported to orchestrate the colonization of host tissues, evasion of immunity and the development of biofilms. So far, little if any information is available on the presence of pilus-like structures in human gut commensals like bifidobacteria.Results and discussionIn this report, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) of various bifidobacterial strains belonging to Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, Bifidobacterium dentium, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis revealed the existence of appendages resembling pilus-like structures. Interestingly, these microorganisms harbour two to six predicted pilus gene clusters in their genome, with each organized in an operon encompassing the major pilin subunit-encoding gene (designated fimA or fimP) together with one or two minor pilin subunit-encoding genes (designated as fimB and/or fimQ), and a gene encoding a sortase enzyme (strA). Quantitative Real Time (qRT)-PCR analysis and RT-PCR experiments revealed a polycistronic mRNA, encompassing the fimA/P and fimB/Q genes, which are differentially expressed upon cultivation of bifidobacteria on various glycans.
Highlights
Pili or fimbriae are hair-like appendages commonly found in various Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria
In this report, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) of various bifidobacterial strains belonging to Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, Bifidobacterium dentium, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis revealed the existence of appendages resembling pilus-like structures
These microorganisms harbour two to six predicted pilus gene clusters in their genome, with each organized in an operon encompassing the major pilin subunit-encoding gene together with one or two minor pilin subunit-encoding genes, and a gene encoding a sortase enzyme
Summary
Pili or fimbriae are hair-like appendages commonly found in various Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria (for a review see [1]). The general principles of pilus assembly/structure in Gram positive bacteria were first established for the pathogens Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Actinomyces naeslundii[2,3,4,5]. In these microorganisms, the as well as in the Actinomyces taxon [1,2,7,9]. It has been shown that pili are involved in the attachment/colonization of members of the human microbiota to host tissues, as pilus-mediated adherence is a critical step in the establishment of infection by several Gram negative pathogens [12][13] as well as in Gram positive bacteria like corynebacteria [14] and Actinomyces[8]. Little if any information is available on the presence of pilus-like structures in human gut commensals like bifidobacteria
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