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Conceptual model for PilX's molecular role in the formation of bacterial aggregates. In WT cells, retraction of pili by PilT slides PilX molecules (black) close to one another. When interacting with another PilX, and under tension, PilX subunits may adopt a different conformation (white) and prevent further slippage of pili (Upper). In the absence of PilX, pilus retraction disrupts the interactions between cells and no aggregation is observed (Lower).
