Source: Madoroba et al.

, 2009
University of Zululand

PROKARYOTES STRUCTURE AND

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
SMCB221
BY
PROF. EVELYN MADOROBA
Email: MadorobaE@unizulu.ac.za
Office number: 250
 FIMBRIAE AND PILI
OUTCOMES
By the time you complete reading these notes
and related literature, you should be able to
describe the differences between pili and
fimbriae with respect to structure and function.
 FIMBRIAE AND PILI
Both fimbriae and pili are surface appendages
that can be found on bacteria.
Both fimbriae and pili participate in interaction
with other cells.
With the exception of specialized pili, fimbriae
and pili are not responsible for locomotion.
 FIMBRIAE AND PILI
Pili and Fimbriae
 Some literature interchangeably use the two terms, but according to Talaro
and Chess, 2015:
-fimbriae:
-smaller common appendages
-bristle like fibres
-composition is varied (however,
protein is common among most
fimbriae)
-fimbriae stick to surfaces
-fimbriae stick to each other
-fimbriae may be associated with the
formation of biofilms
-through clinging of cells in a mutual way
-fimbriae can be involved in bacterial colonization
through adhesion to epithelial cells
-e.g. Escherichia coli
 FIMBRIAE AND PILI
Pili:
 specialized functions
 many varieties
 Type IV (versatile form of pilus)
 made of protein called pilin
 pilus is used for conjugation, which is a mating
process
-during conjugation, the pilus will
used for connecting cells to enable the
transfer DNA from the donor cell to the
recipient cell.
 CONJUGATION
• During conjugation, the female cell (recipient) receives
DNA from the male donor by means of contact.
• The pilus acts as the connector of the two cells.

Schematic illustration of the sex pilus attaching to the recipient

Source: Taken from

https://www.google.co.za/imgres?imgurl=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_TsG03u1Oss/maxresdefault.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D_TsG03u1Oss
&h=796&w=1064&tbnid=mXNBhTj1gyliKM:&tbnh=157&tbnw=211&usg=__9N5tndPpdipz3vjcFZkaDaAIK7E%3D&vet=10ahUKEwjVwbXchKLZAhXiC8AKHZfoATcQ9QE
IMTAA..i&docid=wBIkF8GqqK2MAM&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVwbXchKLZAhXiC8AKHZfoATcQ9QEIMTAA
 TYPE IV PILI
• Play an important role in the infection caused by
Neisseria gonorhoeae (gonorrhea).
• During infection with Neisseria gonorhoeae,
Type IV pili enables the binding of these bacteria
to the epithelia of the reproductive tract.
• In Pseudomonas species, Type IV pili play a role
through providing twitching motility.
 SELF-ASSESSMENT QUESTION
• Describe the differences between the
structure and function of fimbriae and pili