Bacterial adhesin

Bacterial adhesins are cell-surface components or appendages of bacteria that facilitate adhesion or adherence to other cells or to surfaces, usually in the host they are infecting or living in. Adhesins are a type of virulence factor.

Adherence is an essential step in bacterial pathogenesis or infection, required for colonizing a new host.[1] Adhesion and bacterial adhesins are also a potential target either for prophylaxis or for the treatment of bacterial infections.[2]

  1. ^ Coutte L, Alonso S, Reveneau N, Willery E, Quatannens B, Locht C, Jacob-Dubuisson F (2003). "Role of adhesin release for mucosal colonization by a bacterial pathogen". J Exp Med. 197 (6): 735–42. doi:10.1084/jem.20021153. PMC 2193847. PMID 12629063.
  2. ^ Krachler, AM; Orth, K (2014). "Targeting the bacteria-host interface: strategies in anti-adhesion therapy". Virulence. 4 (4): 284–94. doi:10.4161/viru.24606. PMC 3710331. PMID 23799663.