Abstract 2672 Structural and Dynamical Studies of FimH Reveal Novel Mechanisms of Protein Inhibition

Bacterial adhesins are critical mediators of host-pathogen interactions, enabling bacteria to attach to host tissues and establish colonization. The adhesin FimH, located at the tip of type 1 pili in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), is a key virulence factor in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and an important target for therapeutic intervention. With the rise in antimicrobial resistance, anti-adhesive strategies that block FimH-mediated adhesion are promising alternatives to antibiotics. FimH is characterized by substantial conformational flexibility, which is fundamental to its function and regulation.