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Abstract:
Type IV pili (T4P) are filamentous cell surface structures found in many bacteria. They are involved in important processes including motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation. T4P are highly dynamic and undergo cycles of extension, adhesion, and retraction. The structure of the machine driving these cycles remained unknown. We recently elucidated the architecture of this machine in Myxococcus xanthus and showed that it spans the entire cell envelope. We propose a testable working model how the pilus filament is extended and retracted.
