title: Fimbrial phase variation: stochastic or cooperative?
abstract: Surface fimbriae of pathogenic Escherichia coli facilitate sensing, adhesion and even invasion of host epithelial cells. While it is known that the pathogen has the potential to express a plethora of fimbrial variants susceptible to rapid phase ON/OFF variation, it is an open question if the fimbrial diversity seen at the population level is the product of random stochasticity or a concerted effort based on active communication. Here we discuss the possibility of a mechanism alternative to a stochastic fimbrial phase variation model affecting the dynamics of a heterogeneous population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Surabhi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khandige
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark. jakobm@bmb.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Møller-Jensen
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological
keywords: Communication; Fimbrial phase variation; Pathogenic Escherichia coli; Population dynamics; Social cooperation