title: Possible role of alpha-1-microglobulin in mediating bacterial attachment to model surfaces.
abstract: Urine proteins in the molecular weight range of 9-137 kDa deposit to an equal extent from pooled human urine onto glass (12.7 +/- 1.9 micrograms/cm) and polystyrene (11.8 +/- 1.8 micrograms/cm). Selective desorption of the proteins was achieved by washing with water or water/isopropanol mixtures. Irrespective of the washing process, proteins of molecular weight greater than 90 kDa remained associated with both surfaces while water washings alone removed most low molecular weight material. A 29 kDa protein, alpha-1-microglobulin, was removed from glass by water washing but required a 30% (v/v) isopropanol wash to desorb from polystyrene, implying attachment via hydrophobic bonding. The adhesion to polystyrene surfaces of Pseudomonas aeruginosa B4, a clinical isolate from a urinary tract infection (UTI), was strongly associated with the presence of alpha-1-microglobulin, which may be acting as a mediator of bacterial adhesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Brighton, East Sussex, U.K.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wassall
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peluso
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Denyer
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000502:physiology*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D005898:Glass; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008954:Models, Biological; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000652:urine; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; D011137:Polystyrenes; C016001:alpha-1-microglobulin