Abstract
In the Caulobacterales, a highly adhesive polysaccharide called the holdfast mediates attachment to exogenous surfaces. The mechanism by which this polysaccharide is anchored to the cell envelope is not well defined. N. K. Chepkwony, G. G. Hardy, and Y. V. Brun (J Bacteriol 204:e00273-22, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.00273-22) report the characterization of HfaE, a localized surface protein with amyloid-like properties that is required for robust holdfast anchoring. This study expands our understanding of the protein factors that attach a bacterial "superglue" to the surface of the cell.