In addition to these signals, conditions that favour the expression of any of 14 distinct fimbriae for adherence cause a reciprocal decrease in the expression of flagella to reduce motility.

The study shows that in liquid environments, where bacteria rely on movement to navigate, the rotation of flagella acts as a mechanical signal that turns on a set of genes required for DNA transfer.

It corrals motile bacteria by targeting their flagella and blocks their motility ... proteobacteria of the genera proteus, escherichia, and helicobacter were detected, all of which are implicated ...