Abstract
The Tad (tight adherence) macromolecular transport system, which is present in many bacterial and archaeal species, represents an ancient and major new subtype of type II secretion. The tad genes are present on a genomic island named the widespread colonization island (WCI), and encode the machinery that is required for the assembly of adhesive Flp (fimbrial low-molecular-weight protein) pili. The tad genes are essential for biofilm formation, colonization and pathogenesis in the genera Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus), Haemophilus, Pasteurella, Pseudomonas, Yersinia, Caulobacter and perhaps others. Here we review the structure, function and evolution of the Tad secretion system.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Actinobacillus Infections / microbiology
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Actinobacteria / genetics
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Actinobacteria / growth & development
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Actinobacteria / metabolism
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Actinobacteria / pathogenicity*
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / genetics
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / growth & development
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / metabolism
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Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / pathogenicity
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Animals
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Bacterial Adhesion*
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Bacterial Proteins* / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
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Flagella / metabolism
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Genomic Islands*
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / growth & development
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / metabolism
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Gram-Negative Bacteria / pathogenicity*
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Humans
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Periodontitis / microbiology
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Rats
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Virulence Factors / genetics
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Virulence Factors / metabolism
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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Virulence Factors