F-pilin (TraA) (TraA)

The F pilus is a specialized surface appendage on Escherichia coli and other Gram-negative bacteria that harbor the F plasmid (UniProt: P02974). It is primarily composed of polymerized subunits of the TraA protein, which undergo extensive post-translational modification including acetylation and cyclization (PubMed: 15659676). The primary biological role of the F pilus is to facilitate bacterial conjugation, a major mechanism for the horizontal transfer of genetic information, including virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes (PubMed: 22491152). Additionally, the F pilus acts as an essential attachment site for several groups of bacteriophages, such as the Leviviridae and Inoviridae (Wikipedia: F-pilus). In the context of drug development, the F pilus is considered a target for anti-virulence agents known as pilicides, which aim to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistance without killing the bacteria directly (PubMed: 21857711). By inhibiting the assembly or function of this structure, researchers hope to limit the evolutionary adaptability of pathogenic bacterial populations (PubMed: 16439572).

Other names

Sex pilusConjugative pilusF-pilusF pilus antigenTraA proteinF-pilin

Inhibition of pilus assembly or blocking of the pilus tip to prevent conjugation and horizontal gene transfer.