# The Neisseria Type IV pilus as a mediator of persistent colonization

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2020 · $192,882

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Persistent colonization is a key facet of microbe-host interactions. Little is known
about the mechanisms that allow a bacterium to persistently colonize its host. We have
developed a mouse model for dissecting bacterial and host determinants of persistent
colonization. It pairs a commensal of wild mice, Neisseria musculi, with the lab mouse,
which is not naturally colonized with Neisseria. N. musculi is closely related to
commensal and pathogenic species of Neisseria, and encode many host interaction
factors and vaccine candidates of these pathogens. A single oral dose of N. musculi
results in persistent, asymptomatic colonization of the oral cavity and gut of the mouse
for at least 1 year. Colonization requires not only the Type IV pilus (Tfp) fiber but also
retraction of the fiber. ΔpilE, which does not express the pilus fiber subunit and ΔpilT,
which does not express the pilus retraction motor, both fail to colonize mice. Here, we
will use our newly developed model to examine the role of Tfp retraction on N. musculi
colonization and persistence. We will also use spectral imaging Fluorescence In Situ
Hybridization (FISH) to locate and characterize the biofilms formed by N. musculi and its
Tfp retraction mutant in the mouse alimentary tract.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9884734
- **Project number:** 5R21AI144763-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** MAGDALENE Y SO
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $192,882
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-03-05 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9884734

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9884734, The Neisseria Type IV pilus as a mediator of persistent colonization (5R21AI144763-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9884734. Licensed CC0.

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