Filamentous or elongated proteinaceous structures which extend from the cell surface in gram-negative bacteria that contain certain types of conjugative plasmid. These pili are the organs associated with genetic transfer and have essential roles in conjugation. Normally, only one or a few pili occur on a given donor cell. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed, p675) This preferred use of pili refers to the sexual appendage, to be distinguished from bacterial fimbriae (FIMBRIAE, BACTERIAL), also known as common pili, which are usually concerned with adhesion.

Annotation

do not confuse with COMMON PILI see FIMBRIAE, BACTERIAL

DUI

D018933 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0028302

Previous indexing

Fimbriae, Bacterial (1980-1994); specific bacteria/cytology (1969-1974); specific bacteria/ultrastructure (1975-1979)

History note

95

Public note

95