Courtney K. Ellison
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View article: Twitching motility suppressors reveal a role for FimX in type IV pilus extension dynamics
Twitching motility suppressors reveal a role for FimX in type IV pilus extension dynamics Open
In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, retractable protein filaments called type IV pili (T4P) facilitate surface adherence, sensing, and directional movement known as twitching motility. T4P are necessary for the bacteria to engage in surface-associa…
View article: Stimulation of the <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> surface sensing pathway by deletion of a specialized minor pilin-like gene
Stimulation of the <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> surface sensing pathway by deletion of a specialized minor pilin-like gene Open
Bacteria colonize surfaces through complex mechanisms of surface sensing. Pili are dynamic bacterial appendages that play an important role in this process. In Caulobacter crescentus , the tension on retracting, surface-bound pili triggers…
View article: Twitching motility suppressors reveal a role for FimX in type IV pilus extension dynamics
Twitching motility suppressors reveal a role for FimX in type IV pilus extension dynamics Open
In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, retractable protein filaments called type IV pili (T4P) facilitate surface adherence, sensing, and directional movement known as twitching motility. T4P are necessary for the bacteria to engage in surface-associa…
View article: Improved DNA binding to a type IV minor pilin increases natural transformation
Improved DNA binding to a type IV minor pilin increases natural transformation Open
Bacteria take up environmental DNA using dynamic appendages called type IV pili (T4P) to elicit horizontal gene transfer in a process called natural transformation. Natural transformation is widespread amongst bacteria yet the parameters t…
View article: Stimulation of the <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> surface sensing pathway by deletion of a specialized minor pilin-like gene
Stimulation of the <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> surface sensing pathway by deletion of a specialized minor pilin-like gene Open
Bacteria colonize surfaces through complex mechanisms of surface sensing. Pili are dynamic bacterial appendages that play an important role in this process. In Caulobacter crescentus , tension on retracting, surface-bound pili triggers the…
View article: DNA binding is rate-limiting for natural transformation
DNA binding is rate-limiting for natural transformation Open
Bacteria take up environmental DNA using dynamic appendages called type IV pili (T4P) to elicit horizontal gene transfer in a process called natural transformation. Natural transformation is widespread amongst bacteria yet determining how …
View article: A New Definition of Exoplanet Habitability: Introducing the Photosynthetic Habitable Zone
A New Definition of Exoplanet Habitability: Introducing the Photosynthetic Habitable Zone Open
It may be possible to detect biosignatures of photosynthesis in an exoplanet’s atmosphere. However, such a detection would likely require a dedicated study, occupying a large amount of telescope time. It is therefore prudent, while searchi…
View article: The PilT retraction ATPase promotes both extension and retraction of the MSHA type IVa pilus in Vibrio cholerae
The PilT retraction ATPase promotes both extension and retraction of the MSHA type IVa pilus in Vibrio cholerae Open
Diverse bacterial species use type IVa pili (T4aP) to interact with their environments. The dynamic extension and retraction of T4aP is critical for their function, but the mechanisms that regulate this dynamic activity remain poorly under…
View article: Acinetobacter baylyi regulates type IV pilus synthesis by employing two extension motors and a motor protein inhibitor
Acinetobacter baylyi regulates type IV pilus synthesis by employing two extension motors and a motor protein inhibitor Open
Bacteria use extracellular appendages called type IV pili (T4P) for diverse behaviors including DNA uptake, surface sensing, virulence, protein secretion, and twitching motility. Dynamic extension and retraction of T4P is essential for the…
View article: Type IV competence pili in<i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>are highly dynamic structures that retract to promote DNA uptake
Type IV competence pili in<i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>are highly dynamic structures that retract to promote DNA uptake Open
SUMMARY The competence pili of transformable Gram-positive species form a subset of the diverse and widespread class of extracellular filamentous organelles known as type IV pili (T4P). In Gram-negative bacteria, T4P act through dynamic cy…
View article: <i>Acinetobacter baylyi</i> regulates type IV pilus synthesis by employing two extension motors and a motor protein inhibitor
<i>Acinetobacter baylyi</i> regulates type IV pilus synthesis by employing two extension motors and a motor protein inhibitor Open
Bacteria use extracellular appendages called type IV pili (T4P) for diverse behaviors including DNA uptake, surface sensing, virulence, protein secretion, and twitching motility 1 . Dynamic extension and retraction of T4P is essential for …
View article: <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>detachment from surfaces via a self-made small molecule
<i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>detachment from surfaces via a self-made small molecule Open
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant threat in both healthcare and industrial biofouling. Surface attachment of P. aeruginosa is particularly problematic as surface association induces virulence and biofilm formation, which hamper later…
View article: Surface sensing stimulates cellular differentiation in <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i>
Surface sensing stimulates cellular differentiation in <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> Open
Significance Cells from all domains of life sense and respond to mechanical and physical cues. In eukaryotes, mechanical signals such as adhesion and surface stiffness are important for regulating fundamental processes including cell diffe…
View article: Elementals and other essays
Elementals and other essays Open
A collection of personal essays that explore the concept of fragmentation and its effects on memory. This collection challenges the belief that life is experienced in a linear way, and instead suggests that conceptually it is a series of m…
View article: A bifunctional ATPase drives tad pilus extension and retraction
A bifunctional ATPase drives tad pilus extension and retraction Open
A single ATPase powers extension and retraction of a broadly distributed class of type IV pili.
View article: Surface Sensing Stimulates Cellular Differentiation in<i>Caulobacter crescentus</i>
Surface Sensing Stimulates Cellular Differentiation in<i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> Open
Cellular differentiation is a fundamental strategy used by cells to generate specialized functions at specific stages of development. The bacterium C. crescentus employs a specialized dimorphic life cycle consisting of two differentiated c…
View article: Flagellar Mutants Have Reduced Pilus Synthesis in <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i>
Flagellar Mutants Have Reduced Pilus Synthesis in <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> Open
Most bacterial species synthesize surface-exposed appendages that are important for environmental interactions and survival under diverse conditions. It is often assumed that these appendages act independently of each other and that mutati…
View article: A bifunctional ATPase drives tad pilus extension and retraction
A bifunctional ATPase drives tad pilus extension and retraction Open
Molecular motors convert chemical energy directly into mechanical work 1 and are found in all domains of life 2 . These motors are critical to intracellular transport 3 , motility 4,5 , macromolecular protein assembly 3,6 , and many essent…
View article: Feedback regulation of <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> holdfast synthesis by flagellum assembly via the holdfast inhibitor HfiA
Feedback regulation of <i>Caulobacter crescentus</i> holdfast synthesis by flagellum assembly via the holdfast inhibitor HfiA Open
Summary To permanently attach to surfaces, Caulobacter crescentus produces a strong adhesive, the holdfast. The timing of holdfast synthesis is developmentally regulated by cell cycle cues. When C. crescentus is grown in a complex medium, …
View article: Obstruction of pilus retraction stimulates bacterial surface sensing
Obstruction of pilus retraction stimulates bacterial surface sensing Open
Elucidating a bacterial sense of touch Bacteria can adhere to surfaces within the host. This leads to tissue colonization, induction of virulence, and eventually the formation of biofilms—multicellular bacterial communities that resist ant…
View article: Obstruction of pilus retraction stimulates bacterial surface sensing
Obstruction of pilus retraction stimulates bacterial surface sensing Open
Surface association provides numerous fitness advantages to bacteria. Thus, it is critical for bacteria to recognize surface contact and to consequently initiate physiological changes required for a surface-associated lifestyle ( 1 ). Ubiq…