Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Clarke M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2582581 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Clarke Margaret M Maddera Lucinda L Harris Robin L RL Silverman Philip M PM
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20081112 46
Bacteria have evolved numerous mechanisms for cell-cell communication, many of which have important consequences for human health. Among these is conjugation, the direct transfer of DNA from one cell to another. For gram-negative bacteria, conjugation requires thin, flexible filaments (conjugative pili) that are elaborated by DNA donor cells. The structure, function, and especially the dynamics of conjugative pili are poorly understood. Here, we have applied live-cell imaging to characterize the ...[more]