P fimbriae
Overview[edit | edit source]
P fimbriae, also known as P pili, are hair-like appendages found on the surface of certain bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli). These structures play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by facilitating bacterial adhesion to the epithelial cells of the urinary tract.
Structure[edit | edit source]
P fimbriae are composed of a helical rod made up of repeating protein subunits called pilin. The tip of the fimbriae contains a specific adhesin protein that binds to receptors on the host cell surface. This binding is often mediated by the recognition of glycolipids on the host cell membrane.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of P fimbriae is to mediate the attachment of E. coli to the uroepithelial cells in the urinary tract. This attachment is a critical step in the establishment of infection, as it allows the bacteria to resist being flushed out by the flow of urine. The adhesin at the tip of the fimbriae specifically recognizes and binds to Gal_1-4Gal-containing glycolipids, which are abundant on the surface of uroepithelial cells.
Genetic Regulation[edit | edit source]
The expression of P fimbriae is regulated by a complex genetic system known as the Pap operon. This operon includes several genes that encode the structural components of the fimbriae, as well as regulatory proteins that control the transcription of these genes. The regulation of the Pap operon is influenced by environmental conditions, such as temperature and the presence of specific nutrients.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
P fimbriae are considered a major virulence factor in E. coli strains that cause pyelonephritis, a severe form of UTI that affects the kidneys. The ability of these bacteria to adhere to the urinary tract epithelium is a key factor in their pathogenicity. Understanding the structure and function of P fimbriae can aid in the development of targeted therapies to prevent or treat UTIs caused by E. coli.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
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, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
