Diversity, classification, and evolution of myxobacterial PilY1 proteins
Gaurav Sharma
Type IVa pili (T4aP) mediate one of the most widespread forms of bacterial surface motility through coordinated cycles of extension, attachment, and retraction that generate pulling forces to propel cells forward. This process is well characterized in diverse Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Myxococcus, and Neisseria, where T4aP filaments are composed of thousands of major pilin subunits and a tip complex formed by minor pilins and the PilY1 adhesin proteins. PilY1 is a multifunctiona