菌毛(pili)是细菌表面的一种多亚基蛋白聚合物。在革兰阳性菌中,菌毛亚基蛋白通过分选锚定酶(sortase,Srt)介导的反应进行共价聚合并锚定到细胞壁上。菌毛参与细菌对宿主组织和细胞的黏附、侵袭和定植等重要生理活动。本文综述革兰阳性菌菌毛结构、分子装配及其功能方面研究进展。
Pili are formed by polymerization of pilin subunits on the surface of bacteria.In Gram-positive bacteria,individual pilus subunits,mediated by a transpeptidase called sortase,are crosslinked,ultimately resulting in polymers covalently attached to the cell wall.Pili mainly take part in bacterial adhesion to and invasion and colonization of host tissues and cells.This paper reviews the structure,molecular configuration,and function of pili in Gram-positive bacteria.