A Force-Dependent Switch Reverses Type IV Pilus Retraction

Type IV pilus dynamics is important for virulence, motility, and DNA transfer in a wide variety of prokaryotes. The type IV pilus system constitutes a very robust and powerful molecular machine that transports pilus polymers as well as DNA through the bacterial cell envelope. In Neisseria gonorrhoeae, pilus retraction is a highly irreversible process that depends on PilT, an AAA ATPase family member. However when levels of PilT are reduced, the application of high external forces (F = 110 ± 10 pN) induces processive pilus elongation. At forces of >50 pN, single pili elongate at a rate of v = 350 ± 50 nm/s. For forces of