The archaic CUP pilus SMF-1 uses an antiparallel bundling mechanism to initiate biofilm formation
Jessie Lynda Fields, Caitlyn C. Sebastian, Hua Zhang, Radhika Bhaumik, Ayisha Zia, Abigail N. Robertson, Gregory G. Anderson, Seema Mattoo, Hui Wu, Megan R. Kiedrowski, Fengbin Wang
This study reveals the structure and bundling mechanism of SMF-1, a CUP pilus in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, showing it forms antiparallel bundles that initiate biofilm formation.
Cell Reports · Oct 1, 2026Peer-reviewedMicrobiology