Abstract
This chapter describes the virulence and regulation of chaperone-usher pathway (CUP) pili, focusing on type 1 and P pili in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), the most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). UPEC and E. coli in general heavily rely on CUP pili to mediate attachment to biotic and abiotic surfaces. The pathogenesis of community-acquired UPEC UTI is thought to begin with UPEC colonization of the periurethral area from the fecal flora. Depending on the specific niche UPEC inhabits, it encounters different elements of the immune response as well as different environmental pressures, necessitating precise gene regulation. The ability of UPEC to transcend the acute population bottleneck is described in detail. In addition to up-regulation of genes involved in general metabolism, several genes classified as being involved in removal of reactive oxygen species and hydrophobic compounds were also upregulated. Further, negative cross-regulatory interactions between pili may serve to divert resources to the conditions most effective for persistence or transit throughout hosts. Antivirulence compounds such as pilicides and mannosides represent novel strategies to translate basic knowledge from the investigation of pilus structure and function into new therapeutics that may have efficacy in treating UTIs by affecting CUP expression and function.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
