Association of long surface appendages with adherence-related functions of the gram-positive species Actinomyces naeslundii.
Electron microscopy of new isolates of gram-positive Actinomyces naeslundii demonstrated long, fragile appendages. Removal of the appendages impaired attachment to epithelial cells and reaggregation, thus implicating them in attachment-related functions.
D000190:Actinomyces / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D000268:Adhesiveness; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002610:Cheek; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa