Molecular biology of S-layers.
In this chapter we report on the molecular biology of crystalline surface layers of different bacterial groups. The limited information indicates that there are many variations on a common theme. Sequence variety, antigenic diversity, gene expression, rearrangements, influence of environmental factors and applied aspects are addressed. There is considerable variety in the S-layer composition, which was elucidated by sequence analysis of the corresponding genes. In Corynebacterium glutamicum one major cell wall protein is responsible for the formation of a highly ordered, hexagonal array. In contrast, two abundant surface proteins from the S-layer of Bacillus anthracis. Each protein possesses three S-layer homology motifs and one protein could be a virulence factor. The antigenic diversity and ABC transporters are important features, which have been studied in methanogenic archaea. The expression of the S-layer components is controlled by three genes in the case of Thermus thermophilus. One has repressor activity on the S-layer gene promoter, the second codes for the S-layer protein. The rearrangement by reciprocal recombination was investigated in Campylobacter fetus. 7-8 S-layer proteins with a high degree of homology at the 5' and 3' ends were found. Environmental changes influence the surface properties of Bacillus stearothermophilus. Depending on oxygen supply, this species produces different S-layer proteins. Finally, the molecular bases for some applications are discussed. Recombinant S-layer fusion proteins have been designed for biotechnology.
Bahl
H
H
Universität Rostock, Germany.
Scholz
H
H
Bayan
N
N
Chami
M
M
Leblon
G
G
Gulik-Krzywicki
T
T
Shechter
E
E
Fouet
A
A
Mesnage
S
S
Tosi-Couture
E
E
Gounon
P
P
Mock
M
M
Conway de Macario
E
E
Macario
A J
AJ
Fernández-Herrero
L A
LA
Olabarría
G
G
Berenguer
J
J
Blaser
M J
MJ
Kuen
B
B
Lubitz
W
W
Sára
M
M
Pouwels
P H
PH
Kolen
C P
CP
Boot
H J
HJ
Resch
S
S
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000940:Antigenic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001407:Bacillus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003352:Corynebacterium / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016963:Thermus thermophilus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins