Bacterial adhesin–host receptor interaction

Bacterial adhesion to mucosal surfaces is not a single molecular target or receptor, but rather a general biological process involving interactions between bacterial surface structures (adhesins, such as fimbriae/pili) and host cell membrane components (receptors, often glycoproteins or glycolipids)[1][2][4]. This adhesion is essential for bacterial colonization and the initiation of many infectious diseases. Specific adhesin–receptor interactions vary among pathogens: for example, the toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) of Vibrio cholerae and type 1 or P fimbriae of Escherichia coli. The process can be interfered with by vaccines, analogues of adhesins/receptors, or antibodies, but as phrased, “bacterial adhesion to mucosal surfaces” is a biological phenomenon, not a unique receptor, enzyme, or protein suitable for direct drug targeting[1][2][3][4]. **Key caveat:** This entry is considered incorrect as a “target” definition because it refers to a process, not a discrete molecular entity or drug target (such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter)[1][2][4]. For precise therapeutic targeting, one should specify individual adhesins or host receptors mediating the adhesion.

Other names

Bacterial adhesion to mucosal surfaceAdherence of bacteria to mucosaBacterial mucosal attachment