title: Characterisation and subcellular localisation of the GroEL-like and DnaK-like proteins isolated from Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 10953.
abstract: Fusobacterium nucleatum is associated with periodontitis in humans, and is a central member of the dental biofilm. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) of many different bacteria have been considered to play important roles during inflammations and infections. We have identified and characterised the HSP60 and HSP70, the Escherichia coli GroEL and DnaK homologues, respectively, in F. nucleatum ATCC 10953. The N-terminal 22 amino acid residues of HSP60 exhibited up to 63.6% identity with members of the HSP60 heat shock protein family of some selected bacterial species, while the N-terminal of 25 residues of HSP70 revealed up to 80% identity with members of the HSP70 family. The subcellular localisation of HSP60 and HSP70 was analysed by immunoblotting of bacterial cell fractions and immunoelectron microscopy of whole cells. HSP60 and HSP70 were localised in the cytosol, associated with membranes and extracellular fractions. These results are consistent with localisation for HSPs found in other micro-organisms, which further lead to the suggestion of a potential role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Odontology-Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bergen, Armauer Hansen Building, Bergen 5021, Norway.
authors.forename: Cecilie Kristin
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Skår
authors.forename: Per Göran
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: Vidar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bakken