Bacterial co-adhesion

Bacterial co-adhesion" refers to the process by which a bacterium in suspension adheres to another bacterium that is already immobilized on a surface, as distinct from "coaggregation," where both bacteria are in suspension. This process is central to the development and spatial structuring of multispecies biofilms, such as dental plaque. It is mediated by interactions between **adhesins** (proteinaceous or polysaccharide surface molecules) on the surface of one species and corresponding complementary **receptors** (often glycan or protein structures) on another species. This co-adhesion enables the formation of complex microbial communities and enhances microbial colonization and competition. The process itself is not a molecular target but results from the coordinated action of surface molecules on various bacteria[1][7]. *Note*: If information about a specific protein, adhesin, or receptor referred to as "bacterial co-adhesion" was sought, please specify the molecule or system, as "bacterial co-adhesion" by itself denotes a multicomponent biological interaction, not a singular molecular entity.

Other names

bacterial coadhesionmicrobial co-adhesionbacterial interbacterial adhesion