title: S-layers as a tool kit for nanobiotechnological applications.
abstract: Crystalline bacterial cell surface layers (S-layers) have been identified in a great number of different species of bacteria and represent an almost universal feature of archaea. Isolated native S-layer proteins and S-layer fusion proteins incorporating functional sequences self-assemble into monomolecular crystalline arrays in suspension, on a great variety of solid substrates and on various lipid structures including planar membranes and liposomes. S-layers have proven to be particularly suited as building blocks and patterning elements in a biomolecular construction kit involving all major classes of biological molecules (proteins, lipids, glycans, nucleic acids and combinations of them) enabling innovative approaches for the controlled 'bottom-up' assembly of functional supramolecular structures and devices. Here, we review the basic principles of S-layer proteins and the application potential of S-layers in nanobiotechnology and biomimetics including life and nonlife sciences.
authors.affiliation: Center for NanoBiotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor Mendel Strasse 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria. uwe.sleytr@boku.ac.at
authors.forename: Uwe B
authors.initials: UB
authors.lastname: Sleytr
authors.forename: Carina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ilk
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pum
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Egelseer
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001709:Biotechnology; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008081:Liposomes; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008563:Membrane Lipids; C055764:S-layer proteins