A function of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO polar pili: twitching motility.
Twitching motility is a mode of flagella-independent surface translocation exhibited by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria on solid media. All species exhibiting it carry thin pili, usually polar. This work shows that only PAO and K strains of P. aeruginosa with retractile (PSA) pili were able to move in this way, those with no pili or non-retractile pili remaining stationary. Specific agents such as anti-pilus serum, which prevents otherwise functional pili from retracting, also prevented twitching motility.
D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*