Detection of S-pilin, a correlate of a biogenesis defect, in a PilC− background requires pilT expression. Shown is immunoblotting of whole cell lysates by using the pilin-specific mAb MC02. Lanes: 1, N400 (wild-type); 2, MW3 (pilC1∷erm, pilC2∷cat); 3, MW4 (pilTind); 4, MW4 (pilTind); 5, MW7 (pilTind, pilC1∷erm, pilC2∷cat); 6, MW7 (pilTind, pilC1∷erm, pilC2∷cat). With regard to PilT expression, in lanes 1 and 2, “+” denotes the wild-type pilT allele; in lanes 3–6, “+” denotes addition of IPTG and “−” denotes no IPTG.