title: Bacterial and archaeal S-layer proteins: structure-function relationships and their biotechnological applications.
abstract: Crystalline cell surface layers (S-layers) composed of planar assemblies of protein or glycoprotein subunits are one of the most commonly observed cell envelope structures of bacteria and archaea. Isolated S-layer subunits of numerous organisms are able to assemble into monomolecular arrays either in suspension, at liquid-surface interfaces, including lipid films, on liposomes and on solid supports. Pores in S-layers are of regular size and morphology, and functional groups on the protein lattices are aligned in well-defined positions and orientations. These characteristic features of S-layers have led to various applications in biotechnology, vaccine development, diagnostics, biomimetics and molecular nanotechnology.
authors.affiliation: Center for Ultrastructure Research, Universität für Bodenkultur Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: U B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Sleytr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sára
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000737:chemistry*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D001709:Biotechnology
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins