Molecules involved in motility regulation in Escherichia coli cells: a review

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 36; no. 8; pp. 889 - 908
• Main Authors: Khan, Fazlurrahman, Tabassum, Nazia, Pham, Dung Thuy Nguyen, Oloketuyi, Sandra Folarin, Kim, Young-Mog
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 13.09.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antimicrobial agents; Appendages; Attenuation; Biofilm formation; Biofilms; Cells; Colonization; E coli; Environmental factors; Environmental stress; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - genetics; Escherichia coli - metabolism; Escherichia coli Proteins - metabolism; Fimbriae, Bacterial - genetics; Fimbriae, Bacterial - metabolism; Flagella; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Immune system; Immunity; inhibition; Motility; pathogenesis; Pathogenicity; Pathogens; Physiological effects; Pili; Probiotics; Signaling; pathogenesis; inhibition; motility; Biofilm formation; Escherichia coli
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2020.1826939

The initial colonization of the host organism by commensal, probiotic, and pathogenic Escherichia coli strains is an important step in the development of infections and biofilms. Sensing and colonization of host cell surfaces are governed by flagellar and fimbriae/pili appendages, respectively. Biofilm formation confers great advantages on pathogenic E. coli cells such as protection against the host immune system, antimicrobial agents, and several environmental stress factors. The transition from planktonic to sessile physiological states involves several signaling cascades and factors responsible for the regulation of flagellar motility in E. coli cells. These regulatory factors have thus become important targets to control pathogenicity. Hence, attenuation of flagellar motility is considered a potential therapy against pathogenic E. coli. The present review describes signaling pathways and proteins involved in direct or indirect regulation of flagellar motility. Furthermore, application strategies for antimotility natural or synthetic compounds are discussed also.