Pyelonephritis-associated pili (P-fimbriae) (Pap)

Bacterial P-fimbriae, also known as Pyelonephritis-associated pili (Pap), are complex proteinaceous appendages found on the surface of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) (Wright et al., 2007). They play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of upper urinary tract infections by mediating the specific attachment of the bacteria to Gal(alpha1-4)Gal-containing glycolipids on the surface of human kidney cells (Dodson et al., 2001; Roberts et al., 1994). This adherence is facilitated by the PapG adhesin located at the tip of the pilus, which recognizes the P-blood group antigen (Dodson et al., 2001). The assembly of these fimbriae is governed by the chaperone-usher pathway, a sophisticated protein secretion and folding system (Pinkner et al., 2006). Targeting P-fimbriae offers a promising non-antibiotic strategy to combat infections, with research focusing on small molecules called pilocides that disrupt pilus assembly or carbohydrate mimetics that block the PapG binding site (Pinkner et al., 2006). By preventing bacterial colonization, these therapeutic approaches aim to reduce the incidence of pyelonephritis and urosepsis while minimizing the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance (Wright et al., 2007; Roberts et al., 1994).

Other names

Pap piliP-piliGal-Gal piliPyelonephritis-associated fimbriae

Inhibition of the PapG adhesin binding to host Gal(alpha1-4)Gal receptors or disruption of the chaperone-usher assembly pathway (Pinkner et al., 2006; Dodson et al., 2001).