Major pilin PilA (PilA)

Major pilin PilA (also known as Pilin A) is the primary structural component of Type IV pili (T4P), which are versatile, filamentous appendages extending from the surface of various Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. These pili are essential for bacterial pathogenesis, facilitating critical processes such as adherence to host tissues, microcolony and biofilm formation, and a unique form of surface translocation known as twitching motility. Additionally, PilA-containing pili play roles in the uptake of environmental DNA and the secretion of certain proteins. Due to its surface exposure and fundamental role in infection, PilA is considered a promising therapeutic target for the development of antivirulence agents, including small-molecule pilicides that disrupt pilus assembly and monoclonal antibodies or vaccines designed to block adhesion or promote immune clearance. However, the significant antigenic variation and sequence diversity of PilA across different bacterial species and strains pose a major challenge for creating universal therapeutic interventions.

Other names

Pilin APilAType IV pilinMajor pilus subunitPilEFimA

Inhibition of pilus assembly or blocking of pilus-mediated adhesion to host cells.