title: Dynamic cell surface hydrophobicity of Lactobacillus strains with and without surface layer proteins.
abstract: Variations in surface hydrophobicity of six Lactobacillus strains with and without an S-layer upon changes in ionic strength are derived from contact angle measurements with low- and high-ionic-strength aqueous solutions. Cell surface hydrophobicity changed in response to changes in ionic strength in three out of the six strains, offering these strains a versatile mechanism to adhere to different surfaces. The dynamic behavior of the cell surface hydrophobicity could be confirmed for two selected strains by measuring the interaction force between hydrophobic and hydrophilic tips with use of atomic force microscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vadillo-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Henk J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Busscher
authors.forename: Willem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Norde
authors.forename: Joop
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Henny C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: van der Mei
mesh_terms: D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009994:Osmolar Concentration
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins