Jens Hör (@jenshoer.bsky.social)

PilY proteins: bimodular drivers of type IV pilus versatility Type IV pili (T4P) are dynamic surface fibers that mediate diverse bacterial activities, including adhesion, twitching motility, horizontal gene transfer, biofilm formation, and virulence. The PilY family of T4P-associated proteins are found across a wide range of bacterial species and are critical for key T4P functions. PilY proteins are characterized by a shared domain architecture which consists of a variable N-terminal region that mediates adhesion and a conserved C-terminal beta-propeller domain that facilitates pilus biogenesis. Given their surface exposure and roles in virulence, PilY family proteins represent an attractive target for novel therapeutic interventions, including small-molecule antivirulence therapies against pathogenic bacteria and potential as vaccine antigens. This review synthesizes our current understanding of PilY structure, localization, function, and evolutionary relationships across T4P systems. http://dlvr.it/TPTw17