Molecular analysis of genes in Nostoc punctiforme involved in pilus biogenesis and plant infection

J Bacteriol. 2007 Jun;189(12):4547-51. doi: 10.1128/JB.01927-06. Epub 2007 Apr 6.

Abstract

Hormogonia are the infective agents in many cyanobacterium-plant symbioses. Pilus-like appendages are expressed on the hormogonium surface, and mutations in pil-like genes altered surface piliation and reduced symbiotic competency. This is the first molecular evidence that pilus biogenesis in a filamentous cyanobacterium requires a type IV pilus system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / physiology
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / ultrastructure
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Nostoc / genetics*
  • Nostoc / growth & development*
  • Nostoc / physiology
  • Plant Physiological Phenomena
  • Plants / microbiology*
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Symbiosis / genetics*