Bacterial adhesin

Bacterial adhesin (pronunciation: /bækˈtɪəriəl ædˈhiːzɪn/) is a type of protein found on the surface of bacteria. It plays a crucial role in bacterial infection by enabling the bacteria to adhere to the host cells.

Etymology

The term "adhesin" is derived from the Latin word "adhaerere", which means "to stick to". The prefix "bacterial" indicates that the adhesin is associated with bacteria.

Function

Bacterial adhesins are responsible for the initial attachment of bacteria to host cells, which is a critical first step in the process of infection. They recognize and bind to specific receptor molecules on the surface of the host cells. This binding can trigger a variety of cellular responses, including changes in gene expression, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and the activation of immune responses.

Types

There are several types of bacterial adhesins, including fimbrial adhesins, afimbrial adhesins, and autotransporter adhesins. Each type has a unique structure and binds to different types of receptors on the host cells.

Related Terms

Fimbriae (bacteria): Hair-like appendages on the surface of bacteria that often carry adhesins.
Biofilm: A community of bacteria that is often held together by adhesins.
Pathogen: An organism that can cause disease, often by using adhesins to invade host cells.
Host (biology): The organism that is invaded by a pathogen.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Bacterial adhesin
Wikipedia's article - Bacterial adhesin

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Bacterial adhesin