Adhesins, Bacterial

**Definition:** Cell-surface components or appendages of bacteria that facilitate adhesion (BACTERIAL ADHESION) to other cells or to inanimate surfaces. Most fimbriae (FIMBRIAE, BACTERIAL) of gram-negative bacteria function as adhesins, but in many cases it is a minor subunit protein at the tip of the fimbriae that is the actual adhesin. In gram-positive bacteria, a protein or polysaccharide surface layer serves as the specific adhesin. What is sometimes called polymeric adhesin (BIOFILMS) is distinct from protein adhesin.

**Tree numbers:** - D12.776.097.025.050 - D12.776.097.120.050 - D12.776.543.100.050 - D23.050.161.050

**Synonyms:** - Adhesin, Bacterial - Bacterial Adhesin - Bacterial Adhesins