This family consists of several bacterial HicB related proteins. The function of HicB is unknown although it is thought to be involved in pilus formation. It has been speculated that HicB performs a function antagonistic to that of pili and yet is necessary for invasion of certain niches [1].

1: Evolution of the major pilus gene cluster of Haemophilus influenzae. Mhlanga-Mutangadura T, Morlin G, Smith AL, Eisenstark A, Golomb M; J Bacteriol 1998;180:4693-4703. PMID:9721313