Name: how bacteria stick, share genes, and move
Uploaded: 2025-06-12T09:31:02.000Z
Duration: 1 min 28 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

Virginia  Standards of Learning

HIgh School

Biology

BIO.4

BIO.4.c

Fimbriae, Pili, and Axial Filaments

Les fimbriae et les pili sont de minces appendices ressemblant à des cheveux, généralement de 2 à 10 nanomètres de diamètre, faits de protéine de piline et s’étendent à partir de la surface des cellules bactériennes. Les fimbriae permettent aux cellules bactériennes d’adhérer aux surfaces disponibles, ce qui permet la formation de biofilms. Ils aident également les bactéries à adhérer à leurs cellules hôtes, facilitant la colonisation et établissant des infections, comme observé chez les agents pathogènes comme Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Les pili sont généralement plus longs et moins nombreux que les fimbriae. Les pili contribuent également à l’adhésion, permettant aux bactéries pathogènes comme Pseudomonas aeruginosa de se fixer à leurs cellules hôtes. Les pili aident également à la conjugaison bactérienne, où les pili spécialisés, connus sous le nom de pili sexuels, ou pili conjugatifs, facilitent le transfert de matériel génétique entre les cellules bactériennes. Les pili de type IV, un autre pilus spécialisé, sont impliqués dans la motilité des contractions, qui permet aux bactéries de se déplacer le long des surfaces. Les filaments axiaux, ou endoflagelles, trouvés dans les spirochètes, tels que Treponema pallidum sont situés dans l’espace périplasmique. Ces filaments axiaux permettent aux spirochètes de se déplacer avec un mouvement semblable à celui d’un tire-bouchon, ce qui leur permet de se déplacer efficacement dans des environnements visqueux tels que les fluides corporels.

fimbriae, pili et filaments axiaux

Les fimbriae et les pili sont des structures superficielles sp&#233;cialis&#233;es des bact&#233;ries qui jouent des r&#244;les essentiels dans l'adh&#233;sion, l'&#233;change g&#233;n&#233;tique et la motilit&#233;. Compos&#233;s principalement de la prot&#233;ine piline, ces appendices filamenteux sont cruciaux pour la survie et la pathog&#233;nicit&#233; des bact&#233;ries dans divers environnements.
Fimbriae : Adh&#233;sion et Pathog&#233;nicit&#233;
Les fimbriae sont des structures fines et filamenteuses mesurant de 2 &#224; 10 nm de diam&#232;tre et sont dens&#233;ment r&#233;parties &#224; la surface des cellules bact&#233;riennes. Elles facilitent l'adh&#233;sion des bact&#233;ries aux surfaces abiotiques et aux tissus h&#244;tes, une &#233;tape essentielle dans la colonisation et l'&#233;tablissement des infections. Par exemple, Neisseria gonorrhoeae et Escherichia coli utilisent les fimbriae pour se fixer aux cellules &#233;pith&#233;liales, contribuant ainsi &#224; des maladies telles que la gonorrh&#233;e et les infections urinaires. Cette capacit&#233; adh&#233;sive souligne l'importance des fimbriae dans les interactions h&#244;te-pathog&#232;ne et la virulence bact&#233;rienne.
Pili : &#201;change g&#233;n&#233;tique et Motilit&#233;
Les pili sont g&#233;n&#233;ralement plus longs et plus espac&#233;s que les fimbriae, et remplissent des fonctions sp&#233;cialis&#233;es au-del&#224; de l'adh&#233;sion. Les pili de conjugaison, ou pili sexuels, permettent le transfert horizontal de g&#232;nes entre les cellules bact&#233;riennes par un processus appel&#233; &#8220;conjugaison&#8221;. Ce m&#233;canisme est crucial pour la diffusion du mat&#233;riel g&#233;n&#233;tique, y compris les g&#232;nes de r&#233;sistance aux antibiotiques, au sein des populations bact&#233;riennes.
Les pili de type IV sont particuli&#232;rement polyvalents et participent &#224; la motilit&#233; par secousse &#8212; un mouvement saccad&#233; et rampant qui aide les bact&#233;ries &#224; se d&#233;placer sur des surfaces solides. Ces pili favorisent &#233;galement la colonisation de l'h&#244;te chez des pathog&#232;nes tels que Pseudomonas aeruginosa et Vibrio cholerae, o&#249; leur double r&#244;le dans la motilit&#233; et l'adh&#233;sion favorise l'infection et la formation de biofilms.
Filaments axiaux : Motilit&#233; chez les Spiroch&#232;tes
Chez les spiroch&#232;tes, les filaments axiaux, ou endoflagelles, se trouvent dans l'espace p&#233;riplasmique, permettant un mouvement distinctif en forme de vis. Ce mouvement, aliment&#233; par la rotation des filaments, permet &#224; des pathog&#232;nes tels que Treponema pallidum et Borrelia burgdorferi de traverser des environnements visqueux comme les fluides corporels. Cette motilit&#233; unique est un facteur cl&#233; des propri&#233;t&#233;s invasives de ces organismes, facilitant leur survie et leur propagation dans les tissus de l'h&#244;te.
Ensemble, les fimbriae, les pili et les filaments axiaux illustrent l'adaptabilit&#233; des structures superficielles bact&#233;riennes dans le soutien de l'adh&#233;sion, de la mobilit&#233; et de l'&#233;change g&#233;n&#233;tique, qui sont fondamentaux pour leur succ&#232;s &#233;cologique et leur potentiel pathog&#233;nique.

Fimbriae, Pili et Filaments Axiaux

Les fimbriae et les pili sont des structures superficielles sp&#233;cialis&#233;es des bact&#233;ries qui jouent des r&#244;les essentiels dans ...

Education

Enseignement

JoVE Core

Microbiology

Microbiologie

Unit

Unité

Microbial Cell Structure and Function        

Structure et fonction des cellules microbiennes

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

TERMES ET CONCEPTS CLÉS

how bacteria stick, share genes, and move

Fimbriae, pili, and axial filaments are bacterial surface structures that help cells attach, exchange genes, and move. These hairlike appendages are made mainly of pilin protein. They support bacterial survival in different environments and can also increase pathogenicity.

Fimbriae are fine, filament-like structures that are densely packed on the bacterial surface. They are about 2 to 10 nanometers wide and help bacteria attach to nonliving surfaces and to host tissues. This adhesion is an important first step in colonization and infection. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli use fimbriae to bind to epithelial cells, which is linked to gonorrhea and urinary tract infections.

Pili are usually longer and less numerous than fimbriae. Some pili, called conjugative pili or sex pili, help bacteria carry out conjugation, a process in which genetic material moves from one cell to another. This horizontal gene transfer can spread antibiotic-resistant genes through bacterial populations. Type IV pili have another role as well. They help bacteria move by twitching motility, a jerky crawling motion on solid surfaces.

Type IV pili also help some pathogens attach to host cells. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio cholerae, this support for both movement and adhesion can aid colonization and biofilm formation. Biofilms are groups of bacteria that stick together on a surface. These traits make pili important for infection and survival.

Axial filaments, also called endoflagella, are found in spirochetes. They sit inside the periplasmic space, which is the area between the cell membrane layers. Their rotation creates a corkscrew-like motion that helps the cells move through thick fluids. Treponema pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi use this kind of movement to travel through bodily fluids and spread within host tissues.

Together, fimbriae, pili, and axial filaments show how bacteria use surface structures for attachment, motion, and gene exchange. These features help microbes adapt to their surroundings and strengthen their ability to cause disease.

How Bacteria Stick, Share Genes, and Move

prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cells

Cell Organization in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells show two major patterns of cell organization. These differences shape the structure, size, and function of living things across the domains of life. Prokaryotic cells, such as bacteria and archaea, are simple in structure. They do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. Their DNA is usually a single circular molecule found in the nucleoid region, which is not surrounded by a nuclear membrane. Prokaryotes are usually very small, about 0.1 to 5.0...

microbial morphologies 

Microbial Shapes and Cell Forms

Microbial shapes and cell forms help bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotic microbes survive in many environments. Cell shape affects how these organisms grow, take up nutrients, and handle waste. It also reflects the link between structure and function. Among bacteria, cocci and bacilli are the most common shapes. Cocci are spherical cells, and they may appear alone or in pairs called diplococci, chains called streptococci, clusters called staphylococci, or groups of four called tetrads. Bacilli...

bacterial cell wall 

Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Walls

Bacterial cell walls give bacteria their shape and help protect them from osmotic stress. This rigid but flexible layer surrounds the plasma membrane and supports cellular integrity. Its main building block is peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that adds strength while still allowing some flexibility. Peptidoglycan is made of alternating N-acetylglucosamine, or NAG, and N-acetylmuramic acid, or NAM. Short amino acid chains connect these sugar units and help form the strong network. The...

archaeal cell wall

Archaeal Cell Wall Types and Functions

Archaeal cell walls protect archaea and help them survive in extreme environments. Unlike bacterial cell walls, they do not have the peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaea use a range of materials, including proteins, polysaccharides, and pseudomurein, to build their outer layer. The most common archaeal cell wall is the S-layer, or surface layer. It is made of tightly packed protein or glycoprotein units that form a crystalline lattice. These repeating patterns can make...

peptidoglycan synthesis

Building the Bacterial Cell Wall

Peptidoglycan builds the bacterial cell wall and gives the cell its shape and strength. It is a mesh-like polymer around the bacterial plasma membrane. The polymer is made of repeating sugar units, N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM), linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. Short peptide chains cross-link the sugar chains and make the wall more rigid. Peptidoglycan biosynthesis starts in the cytoplasm with soluble precursors. Uridine diphosphate, or UDP, binds to NAG and NAM to...

plasma membrane in bacteria and archaea

Bacterial vs Archaeal Membrane Lipids

Bacterial and archaeal plasma membranes control what enters and leaves the cell. They also help maintain cell integrity. Although both membranes do the same basic job, their structures are different because bacteria and archaea face different environmental demands. Bacterial plasma membranes are mainly made of phospholipids. These lipids have fatty acid chains linked to a glycerol backbone by ester bonds. They form a bilayer, with hydrophilic glycerol-phosphate heads facing outward and...

outer layers of the cell envelope

Capsules, Slime Layers, and S-Layers

Capsules, slime layers, and S-layers are outer coverings on prokaryotic cells. These layers help bacteria and archaea survive, attach to surfaces, and interact with their environment. They are often made of polysaccharides, polypeptides, proteins, or glycoproteins. Capsules are tightly bound and highly organized layers that stick firmly to the bacterial cell wall. They are usually made of polysaccharides, although some are made of polypeptides. A capsule protects cells from dehydration and can...

flagella and motility in bacteria

Bacterial Flagella as Tiny Rotary Motors

Bacterial flagella are thread-like structures that help cells move and respond to their surroundings. They extend from the cell envelope and support both motility and chemotaxis, which is the ability to move in response to chemical signals. Their design shows how bacteria use specialized structures to survive in different environments. A flagellum has three main parts: the filament, the hook, and the basal body. The filament is the long, helical part made of repeating flagellin protein...

fimbriae, pili, and axial filaments

Fimbriae, pili, and axial filaments are bacterial surface structures that help cells attach, exchange genes, and move. These hairlike appendages are made mainly of pilin protein. They support bacterial survival in different environments and can also increase pathogenicity. Fimbriae are fine, filament-like structures that are densely packed on the bacterial surface. They are about 2 to 10 nanometers wide and help bacteria attach to nonliving surfaces and to host tissues. This adhesion is an...

cell inclusions

Prokaryotic Cell Storage Inclusions

Prokaryotic cell storage inclusions help bacteria store nutrients, manage energy, and adapt to changing environments. These inclusions let cells survive when food, phosphate, sulfur, light, or oxygen levels change. They are important examples of how simple cells can still have highly specialized structures. Some inclusions store carbon. Poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid, or PHB, forms granules that act as a long-term carbon and energy reserve. Glycogen granules also store carbon, but they provide a...

endospores and sporulation

How Bacteria Survive with Endospores

Endospores help some bacteria survive harsh conditions. These dormant cells are made mainly by Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus and Clostridium. They are highly resistant to heat, ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, drying, and toxic chemicals. In rare cases, endospore-like structures have also been seen in some Gram-negative bacteria, including Coxiella burnetii and Sporosarcina ureae, as well as in other species exposed to extreme conditions. Sporulation begins when bacteria face...

nucleoid

How Prokaryotes Organize DNA

Prokaryotes organize their DNA in the nucleoid, a distinct region where genetic material and associated proteins are packed. Because prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane-bound nucleus, the nucleoid helps keep DNA organized and available for cell activities. In most bacteria and archaea, the DNA is a single, circular, double-stranded molecule that is tightly compacted by supercoiling and protein interactions. Nucleoid-associated proteins, or NAPs, help shape and maintain this DNA region.

surface appendages of archaea

Archaeal Pili and Archaella in Action

Archaeal pili and archaella help archaea survive, attach, and move in challenging environments. These surface appendages support adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. They give archaeal cells key advantages in habitats that can be extreme. Pili are filament-like structures made from pilin protein subunits. Their main role is adhesion, which means helping cells stick to surfaces. They also support biofilm formation, where cells live in a shared, surface-attached community. Some pili are...

key terms and concepts

Explore how fimbriae, pili, and axial filaments help bacteria attach, exchange genes, and move, with examples from disease-causing microbes.

How Bacteria Stick, Share Genes, and Move | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Microbiology provides an engaging introduction to the microbial world and its influence on health, industry, and the environment. This comprehensive collection covers key concepts such as microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, and ecology. It introduces essential laboratory techniques and microscopy methods through visually engaging animations. Corresponding scientist-in-action videos bridge classroom concepts with real-world research and applications.

microbiology

Tennessee Academic Standards

Earth and Space Sciences

Earth's Systems

b-plate-tectonics-and-large-scale-systems-interactions

B. Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale Systems Interactions

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Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle

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DNA Bacteriophages

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Subviral Agents

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BIO.4.a

Binary Fission

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Generation Time

Bacterial generation time, the period required for a bacterial population to double during its exponential growth phase, serves as a critical measure of ...

Bacterial Growth Curve

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Biofilms

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BIO.4.b

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells represent two fundamental types of cellular organization, differing significantly in structure, complexity, and function. ...

Microbial Morphologies 

Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the ...

Bacterial Cell Wall 

The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and ...

Archaeal Cell Wall

Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found ...

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. ...

Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea

The plasma membrane is an essential cellular structure responsible for maintaining cellular integrity and regulating the selective transport of molecules. ...

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often ...

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their ...

Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of ...

Cell Inclusions

Prokaryotic cells possess a variety of inclusions that play crucial roles in nutrient storage, metabolic processes, and environmental adaptation. These ...

Endospores and Sporulation

Endospores are specialized, dormant cells primarily formed by Gram-positive bacteria, including Bacillus and Clostridium, enabling survival under extreme ...

Nucleoid

The nucleoid represents a structurally and functionally distinct region within prokaryotic cells, where the cell's DNA and associated proteins are housed. ...

Surface Appendages of Archaea

Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, ...

The student will investigate and understand that bacteria and viruses have an effect on living systems. Key ideas include  the structures and functions can be compared

Types of Microorganisms

Microorganisms are a diverse group of microscopic entities broadly categorized into cellular and acellular types based on their structural organization. ...

environmental-applications-of-microorganisms

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Quantifying Environmental Microorganisms and Viruses Using qPCR

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BIO.4.d

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Infection

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Defense Mechanism Against Infection

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BIO.4.e

How Bacteria Stick, Share Genes, and Move

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