Cell-surface-located proteinaceous appendages, such as flagella and fimbriae or pili, are ubiquitous in bacterial communities. Here, we focus on conserved type IV pili (T4P) produced by bacteria in the intestinal tract, one of the most densely populated human ecosystems. Computational analysis revealed that approximately 30% of known intestinal bacteria are predicted to produce T4P. To rationalize how T4P allow intestinal bacteria to interact with their environment, other microbiota members, and host cells, we review their established role in gut commensals and pathogens with respect to adherence, motility, and biofilm formation, as well as protein secretion and DNA uptake. This work indicates that T4P are widely spread among the known members of the intestinal microbiota and that their contribution to human health might be underestimated.

细胞表面定位的蛋白质附属物，如鞭毛和菌毛或菌毛在细菌群落中普遍存在。在这里，我们关注由细菌在肠道中产生的保守的IV型菌毛（T4P），肠道是人口最稠密的人类生态系统之一。计算分析表明，预计约30％的已知肠道细菌会产生T4P。为了合理化T4P如何使肠道细菌与环境，其他微生物群成员和宿主细胞相互作用，我们在粘附，运动和生物膜形成以及蛋白质分泌和DNA吸收方面回顾了它们在肠道共生和病原体中已确立的作用。 。这项工作表明，T4P在肠道菌群的已知成员中广泛传播，并且它们对人类健康的贡献可能被低估了。