Curli
Curli are proteinaceous extracellular fibers produced by certain Enterobacteriaceae bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella. These fibers are a major component of the bacterial extracellular matrix and play a crucial role in biofilm formation, adhesion to surfaces, and interaction with host cells.
Structure and Composition[edit | edit source]
Curli fibers are composed primarily of the protein subunit CsgA, which polymerizes into amyloid fibers. The assembly of curli is a complex process involving several proteins encoded by the csg operon. The major components of the curli biogenesis machinery include:
- CsgA: The major structural subunit of curli fibers.
- CsgB: A nucleator protein that initiates the polymerization of CsgA.
- CsgC, CsgE, CsgF, and CsgG: Accessory proteins involved in the secretion and assembly of curli fibers.
Function[edit | edit source]
Curli fibers contribute to the ability of bacteria to form biofilms, which are communities of microorganisms that adhere to surfaces and are embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Biofilms provide bacteria with increased resistance to environmental stresses, including desiccation, antibiotics, and the host immune system. Curli fibers also mediate adhesion to various surfaces, including host tissues, which is important for bacterial colonization and infection.
Role in Disease[edit | edit source]
Curli fibers are implicated in the pathogenesis of several bacterial infections. In urinary tract infections, for example, curli fibers facilitate the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the urinary tract epithelium. In gastrointestinal infections, curli fibers contribute to the colonization of the intestinal mucosa by Salmonella.
Research and Applications[edit | edit source]
Curli fibers have been studied extensively for their role in biofilm formation and bacterial pathogenesis. They are also of interest in the field of nanotechnology due to their amyloid properties, which can be harnessed for the development of novel biomaterials.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
