Abstract
The ability to interact with non-phagocytic cells is a crucial virulence attribute of the meningococcus. Pili play a major role in this process and are the only means yet discovered by which capsulated bacteria may adhere to cells. Pilus-mediated adhesion is a two-step process which requires (i) the expression of the adhesin PilC1 and (ii) the expression of an appropriate pilin variant. Some pilin variants have the ability to modify the degree of adhesiveness through the formation of bundles of pili which increases bacteria-bacteria interactions.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Adhesins, Bacterial / genetics
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Adhesins, Bacterial / physiology*
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Bacterial Adhesion*
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / physiology*
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Fimbriae Proteins
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Fimbriae, Bacterial / physiology*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
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Mutation
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Neisseria meningitidis / genetics
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Neisseria meningitidis / metabolism
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Neisseria meningitidis / pathogenicity*
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Virulence / genetics
Substances
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Adhesins, Bacterial
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
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Bacterial Proteins
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pilC protein, Neisseria gonorrhoeae
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Fimbriae Proteins