Identification of a region responsible for binding to the cell wall within the S-layer protein of Clostridium thermocellum

New Insights into the Physiology of the Propionate Producers Anaerotignum propionicum and Anaerotignum neopropionicum (Formerly Clostridium propionicum and Clostridium neopropionicum)

Propionate is an important platform chemical that is available through petrochemical synthesis. Bacterial propionate formation is considered an alternative, as bacteria can convert waste substrates into valuable products. In this regard, research primarily focused on propionibacteria due to high propionate titers achieved from different substrates. Whether other bacteria could also be attractive producers is unclear, mostly because little is known about these strains. Therefore, two thus far less researched strains, Anaerotignum propionicum and Anaerotignum neopropionicum, were investigated with regard to their morphologic and metabolic features. Microscopic analyses revealed a negative Gram reaction despite a Gram-positive cell wall as well as surface layers for both strains. Furthermore, growth, product profiles, and the potential for propionate formation from sustainable substrates, i.e., ethanol or lignocellulosic sugars, were assessed. Results showed that both strains can oxidize ethanol to different extents. While A. propionicum only partially used ethanol, A. neopropionicum converted 28.3 mM ethanol to 16.4 mM propionate. Additionally, the ability of A. neopropionicum to produce propionate from lignocellulose-derived substrates was analyzed, leading to propionate concentrations of up to 14.5 mM. Overall, this work provides new insights into the physiology of the Anaerotignum strains, which can be used to develop effective propionate producer strains.

Dietary Isoflavones Alter Gut Microbiota and Lipopolysaccharide Biosynthesis to Reduce Inflammation

The etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is strongly affected by environmental factors such as diet and the gut microbiota. An isoflavone-rich (ISO) diet was previously shown to reduce the severity of MS in the animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Translation of this concept to clinical trial where dietary isoflavones may be recommended for MS patients will require preliminary evidence that providing the isoflavone-rich diet to people with MS (PwMS) who lack phytoestrogen-metabolizing bacteria has beneficial effects. We have previously shown that the gut microbiota of PwMS resembles the gut microbiota of mice raised under a phytoestrogen-free (phyto-free) diet in that it lacks phytoestrogen-metabolizing bacteria. To investigate the effects of phytoestrogens on the microbiota inflammatory response and EAE disease severity we switched the diet of mice raised under a phyto-free (PF) diet to an isoflavone-rich diet. Microbiota analysis showed that the change in diet from one that is ISO to one that is PF reduces beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium species. In addition we observed functional differences in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biosynthesis pathways. Moreover LPS extracted from feces of mice fed an ISO diet induced increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines from bone marrow-derived macrophages relative to fecal-LPS isolated from mice fed a PF diet. Eventually mice whose diet was switched from a PF diet to an ISO diet trended toward reduced EAE severity and mortality. Overall we show that an isoflavone-rich diet specifically modulates LPS biosynthesis of the gut microbiota imparts an anti-inflammatory response and decreases disease severity.

Rapid adaptation for fibre degradation by changes in plasmid stoichiometry within Lactobacillus plantarum at the synthetic community level

The multi-enzyme cellulosome complex can mediate the valorization of lignocellulosic biomass into soluble sugars that can serve in the production of biofuels and valuable products. A potent bacterial chassis for the production of active cellulosomes displayed on the cell surface is the bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum, a lactic acid bacterium used in many applications. Here, we developed a methodological pipeline to produce improved designer cellulosomes, using a cell-consortium approach, whereby the different components self-assemble on the surface of L. plantarum. The pipeline served as a vehicle to select and optimize the secretion efficiency of potent designer cellulosome enzyme components, to screen for the most efficient enzymatic combinations and to assess attempts to grow the engineered bacterial cells on wheat straw as a sole carbon source. Using this strategy, we were able to improve the secretion efficiency of the selected enzymes and to secrete a fully functional high-molecular-weight scaffoldin component. The adaptive laboratory process served to increase significantly the enzymatic activity of the most efficient cell consortium. Internal plasmid re-arrangement towards a higher enzymatic performance attested for the suitability of the approach, which suggests that this strategy represents an efficient way for microbes to adapt to changing conditions.

Dramatic performance of Clostridium thermocellum explained by its wide range of cellulase modalities

Clostridium thermocellum is the most efficient microorganism for solubilizing lignocellulosic biomass known to date. Its high cellulose digestion capability is attributed to efficient cellulases consisting of both a free-enzyme system and a tethered cellulosomal system wherein carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) are organized by primary and secondary scaffoldin proteins to generate large protein complexes attached to the bacterial cell wall. This study demonstrates that C. thermocellum also uses a type of cellulosomal system not bound to the bacterial cell wall, called the "cell-free" cellulosomal system. The cell-free cellulosome complex can be seen as a "long range cellulosome" because it can diffuse away from the cell and degrade polysaccharide substrates remotely from the bacterial cell. The contribution of these two types of cellulosomal systems in C. thermocellum was elucidated by characterization of mutants with different combinations of scaffoldin gene deletions. The primary scaffoldin, CipA, was found to play the most important role in cellulose degradation by C. thermocellum, whereas the secondary scaffoldins have less important roles. Additionally, the distinct and efficient mode of action of the C. thermocellum exoproteome, wherein the cellulosomes splay or divide biomass particles, changes when either the primary or secondary scaffolds are removed, showing that the intact wild-type cellulosomal system is necessary for this essential mode of action. This new transcriptional and proteomic evidence shows that a functional primary scaffoldin plays a more important role compared to secondary scaffoldins in the proper regulation of CAZyme genes, cellodextrin transport, and other cellular functions.

S-layers: principles and applications

Monomolecular arrays of protein or glycoprotein subunits forming surface layers (S-layers) are one of the most commonly observed prokaryotic cell envelope components. S-layers are generally the most abundantly expressed proteins, have been observed in species of nearly every taxonomical group of walled bacteria, and represent an almost universal feature of archaeal envelopes. The isoporous lattices completely covering the cell surface provide organisms with various selection advantages including functioning as protective coats, molecular sieves and ion traps, as structures involved in surface recognition and cell adhesion, and as antifouling layers. S-layers are also identified to contribute to virulence when present as a structural component of pathogens. In Archaea, most of which possess S-layers as exclusive wall component, they are involved in determining cell shape and cell division. Studies on structure, chemistry, genetics, assembly, function, and evolutionary relationship of S-layers revealed considerable application potential in (nano)biotechnology, biomimetics, biomedicine, and synthetic biology.

Rumen cellulosomics: divergent fiber-degrading strategies revealed by comparative genome-wide analysis of six ruminococcal strains

Background

A complex community of microorganisms is responsible for efficient plant cell wall digestion by many herbivores, notably the ruminants. Understanding the different fibrolytic mechanisms utilized by these bacteria has been of great interest in agricultural and technological fields, reinforced more recently by current efforts to convert cellulosic biomass to biofuels.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we have used a bioinformatics-based approach to explore the cellulosome-related components of six genomes from two of the primary fiber-degrading bacteria in the rumen: Ruminococcus flavefaciens (strains FD-1, 007c and 17) and Ruminococcus albus (strains 7, 8 and SY3). The genomes of two of these strains are reported for the first time herein. The data reveal that the three R. flavefaciens strains encode for an elaborate reservoir of cohesin- and dockerin-containing proteins, whereas the three R. albus strains are cohesin-deficient and encode mainly dockerins and a unique family of cell-anchoring carbohydrate-binding modules (family 37).

Conclusions/Significance

Our comparative genome-wide analysis pinpoints rare and novel strain-specific protein architectures and provides an exhaustive profile of their numerous lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. This work provides blueprints of the divergent cellulolytic systems in these two prominent fibrolytic rumen bacterial species, each of which reflects a distinct mechanistic model for efficient degradation of cellulosic biomass.

Different Binding Specificities of S-Layer Homology Modules fromClostridium thermocellumAncA, Slp1, and Slp2

S-layer homology (SLH) module polypeptides were derived from Clostridium thermocellum S-layer proteins Slp1 and Slp2 and cellulosome anchoring protein AncA as rSlp1-SLH, rSlp2-SLH, and rAncA-SLH respectively. Their binding specificities were investigated using C. thermocellum cell-wall preparations. rAncA-SLH associated with native peptidoglycan-containing sacculi from C. thermocellum, including both peptidoglycan and secondary cell wall polymers (SCWP), but not to hydrofluoric acid-extracted peptidoglycan-containing sacculi (HF-EPCS) lacking SCWPs, suggesting that SCWPs are responsible for binding with SLH modules of AncA. On the other hand, rSlp1-SLH and rSlp2-SLH associated with HF-EPCS, suggesting that these polypeptides had an affinity for peptidoglycan. A binding assay using a peptidoglycan fraction prepared from Escherichia coli cells definitely confirmed that rSlp1-SLH and rSlp2-SLH specifically interacted with peptidoglycan but not with SCWP.

Biogenesis and functions of bacterial S-layers

The outer surface of many archaea and bacteria is coated with a proteinaceous surface layer (known as an S-layer), which is formed by the self-assembly of monomeric proteins into a regularly spaced, two-dimensional array. Bacteria possess dedicated pathways for the secretion and anchoring of the S-layer to the cell wall, and some Gram-positive species have large S-layer-associated gene families. S-layers have important roles in growth and survival, and their many functions include the maintenance of cell integrity, enzyme display and, in pathogens and commensals, interaction with the host and its immune system. In this Review, we discuss our current knowledge of S-layer and related proteins, including their structures, mechanisms of secretion and anchoring and their diverse functions.

Insights into cellulosome assembly and dynamics: from dissection to reconstruction of the supramolecular enzyme complex

Cellulosomes are multi-enzyme complexes produced by anaerobic bacteria for the efficient deconstruction of plant cell wall polysaccharides. The assembly of enzymatic subunits onto a central non-catalytic scaffoldin subunit is mediated by a highly specific interaction between the enzyme-bearing dockerin modules and the resident cohesin modules of the scaffoldin, which affords their catalytic activities to work synergistically. The scaffoldin also imparts substrate-binding and bacterial-anchoring properties, the latter of which involves a second cohesin-dockerin interaction. Recent structure-function studies reveal an ever-growing array of unique and increasingly complex cohesin-dockerin complexes and cellulosomal enzymes with novel activities. A 'build' approach involving multimodular cellulosomal segments has provided a structural model of an organized yet conformationally dynamic supramolecular assembly with the potential to form higher order structures.

Lactobacillus surface layer proteins: structure, function and applications

Bacterial surface (S) layers are the outermost proteinaceous cell envelope structures found on members of nearly all taxonomic groups of bacteria and Archaea. They are composed of numerous identical subunits forming a symmetric, porous, lattice-like layer that completely covers the cell surface. The subunits are held together and attached to cell wall carbohydrates by non-covalent interactions, and they spontaneously reassemble in vitro by an entropy-driven process. Due to the low amino acid sequence similarity among S-layer proteins in general, verification of the presence of an S-layer on the bacterial cell surface usually requires electron microscopy. In lactobacilli, S-layer proteins have been detected on many but not all species. Lactobacillus S-layer proteins differ from those of other bacteria in their smaller size and high predicted pI. The positive charge in Lactobacillus S-layer proteins is concentrated in the more conserved cell wall binding domain, which can be either N- or C-terminal depending on the species. The more variable domain is responsible for the self-assembly of the monomers to a periodic structure. The biological functions of Lactobacillus S-layer proteins are poorly understood, but in some species S-layer proteins mediate bacterial adherence to host cells or extracellular matrix proteins or have protective or enzymatic functions. Lactobacillus S-layer proteins show potential for use as antigen carriers in live oral vaccine design because of their adhesive and immunomodulatory properties and the general non-pathogenicity of the species.

Identification of a novel gene cluster in the upstream region of the S-layer gene sbpA involved in cell wall metabolism of Lysinibacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 and characterization of the recombinantly produced autolysin and pyruvyl transferase

The S-layer protein SbpA of Lysinibacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 assembles into a square (p4) lattice structure and recognizes a pyruvylated secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) as the proper anchoring structure to the rigid cell wall layer. Sequencing of 8,004 bp in the 5'-upstream region of the S-layer gene sbpA led to five ORFs-encoding proteins involved in cell wall metabolism. After cloning and heterologous expression of ORF1 and ORF5 in Escherichia coli, the recombinant autolysin rAbpA and the recombinant pyruvyl transferase rCsaB were isolated, purified, and correct folding was confirmed by circular dichroism. Although rAbpA encoded by ORF1 showed amidase activity, it could attack whole cells of Ly. sphaericus CCM 2177 only after complete extraction of the S-layer lattice. Despite the presence of three S-layer-homology motifs on the N-terminal part, rAbpA did not show detectable affinity to peptidoglycan-containing sacculi, nor to isolated SCWP. As the molecular mass of the autolysin lies above the molecular exclusion limit of the S-layer, AbpA is obviously trapped within the rigid cell wall layer by the isoporous protein lattice. Immunogold-labeling of ultrathin-sectioned whole cells of Ly. sphaericus CCM 2177 with a polyclonal rabbit antiserum raised against rCsaB encoded by ORF5, and cell fractionation experiments demonstrated that the pyruvyl transferase was located in the cytoplasm, but not associated with cell envelope components including the plasma membrane. In enzymatic assays, rCsaB clearly showed pyruvyl transferase activity. By using RT-PCR, specific transcripts for each ORF could be detected. Cotranscription could be confirmed for ORF2 and ORF3.

Nanoscale mono- and multi-layer cylinder structures formed by recombinant S-layer proteins of mosquitocidal Bacillus sphaericus C3-41

The mature surface layer (S-layer) protein SlpC of mosquitocidal Bacillus sphaericus C3-41 comprises amino acids 31-1,176 and could recrystallize in vitro. The N-terminal SLH domain is responsible for binding function. Deletion of this part, S-layer proteins could not bind to the cell wall sacculi. To investigate the self-assembly ability of SlpC from B. sphaericus, nine truncations were constructed and their self-assembly properties were compared with the recombinant mature S-layer protein rSlpC₃₁₋₁,₁₇₆. The results showed that rSbsC₃₁₋₁,₁₇₆ and truncations rSlpC₂₁₁₋₁,₁₇₆, rSlpC₂₇₈₋₁,₁₇₆, rSlpC₃₁₋₁,₁₀₀, and rSlpC₃₁₋₁,₀₅₀ could assemble into multilayer cylinder structures, while N-terminal truncations rSlpC₃₃₈₋₁,₁₇₆, rSlpC₄₃₈₋₁,₁₇₆, and rSlpC₄₉₈₋₁,₁₇₆ mainly showed monolayer cylinders in recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. Growth phase analysis of the self-assembly process revealed that rSlpC₄₉₈₋₁,₁₇₆ mainly formed monolayer cylinders in the early stage (0.5 and 1 h induction of expression), but few double-layer or multilayer cylinders were also found with the cells growing, while rSlpC₃₁₋₁,₁₇₆ could formed multilayer cylinders in all the growth stage in the E. coli cells. It is concluded that the deletion of the C-terminal 126 aa or the N-terminal 497 aa did not interfere with the self-assembly process, the fragment (amino acids 278 to 337) is essential for the multilayer cylinder formation in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells in the early stage and the fragment (amino acids 338 to 497) is related to monolayer cylinder formation. The information is important for further studies on the assembly mechanism of S-layer proteins and forms a basis for further studies concerning surface display and nanobiotechnology.

Are the surface layer homology domains essential for cell surface display and glycosylation of the S-layer protein from Paenibacillus alvei CCM 2051T?

Paenibacillus alvei CCM 2051(T) cells are decorated with a two-dimensional (2D) crystalline array comprised of the glycosylated S-layer protein SpaA. At its N terminus, SpaA possesses three consecutive surface layer (S-layer) homology (SLH) domains containing the amino acid motif TRAE, known to play a key role in cell wall binding, as well as the TVEE and TRAQ variations thereof. SpaA is predicted to be anchored to the cell wall by interaction of the SLH domains with a peptidoglycan (PG)-associated, nonclassical, pyruvylated secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP). In this study, we have analyzed the role of the three predicted binding motifs within the SLH domains by mutating them into TAAA motifs, either individually, pairwise, or all of them. Effects were visualized in vivo by homologous expression of chimeras made of the mutated S-layer proteins and enhanced green fluorescent protein and in an in vitro binding assay using His-tagged SpaA variants and native PG-containing cell wall sacculi that either contained SCWP or were deprived of it. Experimental data indicated that (i) the TRAE, TVEE, and TRAQ motifs are critical for the binding function of SLH domains, (ii) two functional motifs are sufficient for cell wall binding, regardless of the domain location, (iii) SLH domains have a dual-recognition function for the SCWP and the PG, and (iv) cell wall anchoring is not necessary for SpaA glycosylation. Additionally, we showed that the SLH domains of SpaA are sufficient for in vivo cell surface display of foreign proteins at the cell surface of P. alvei.

Scaffoldin conformation and dynamics revealed by a ternary complex from the Clostridium thermocellum cellulosome

Cellulosomes are multienzyme complexes responsible for efficient degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides. The nonenzymatic scaffoldin subunit provides a platform for cellulolytic enzyme binding that enhances the overall activity of the bound enzymes. Understanding the unique quaternary structural elements responsible for the enzymatic synergy of the cellulosome is hindered by the large size and inherent flexibility of these multiprotein complexes. Herein, we have used x-ray crystallography and small angle x-ray scattering to structurally characterize a ternary protein complex from the Clostridium thermocellum cellulosome that comprises a C-terminal trimodular fragment of the CipA scaffoldin bound to the SdbA type II cohesin module and the type I dockerin module from the Cel9D glycoside hydrolase. This complex represents the largest fragment of the cellulosome solved by x-ray crystallography to date and reveals two rigid domains formed by the type I cohesin·dockerin complex and by the X module-type II cohesin·dockerin complex, which are separated by a 13-residue linker in an extended conformation. The type I dockerin modules of the four structural models found in the asymmetric unit are in an alternate orientation to that previously observed that provides further direct support for the dual mode of binding. Conserved intermolecular contacts between symmetry-related complexes were also observed and may play a role in higher order cellulosome structure. SAXS analysis of the ternary complex revealed that the 13-residue intermodular linker of the scaffoldin subunit is highly dynamic in solution. These studies provide fundamental insights into modular positioning, linker flexibility, and higher order organization of the cellulosome.

Cell wall proteome of Clostridium thermocellum and detection of glycoproteins

Clostridium thermocellum, a thermophilic anaerobe, has the unusual capacity to convert cellulosic biomass into ethanol and hydrogen. In this work, the cell wall proteome of C. thermocellum was investigated. The proteins in the cell wall fraction of C. thermocellum prepared by the boiling SDS method were released by mutanolysin digestion and resolved on two-dimensional (2D) gel. One hundred and thirty-two proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, among which the extracellular solute-binding protein (CbpB/cthe_1020), enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and translation elongation factor EF-Tu were detected as highly abundant proteins. Besides the known surface localized proteins, including FtsZ, MinD, GroEL, DnaK, many enzymes involved in bioenergetics, such as alcohol dehydrogenases and hydrogenases were also detected. By glycan stain and MS analysis of glycopeptides, we identified CbpB as a glycoprotein, which is the second glycoprotein from C. thermocellum characterized. The fact that CbpB was highly abundant in the cell wall region and glycosylated, reflects its importance in substrate assimilation. Our results indicate cell wall proteins constitute a significant portion of cellular proteins and may play important physiological roles (i.e. bioenergetics) in this bacterium. The insights described are relevant for the development of C. thermocellum as a biofuel producer.

Clostridium chromiireducens sp. nov., isolated from Cr(VI)-contaminated soil

A Cr(VI)-resistant, Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe, designated GCAF-1T, was isolated from chromium-contaminated soil by its ability to reduce Cr(VI) in low concentrations. Mixed acid fermentation during growth on glucose resulted in accumulation of acetate, butyrate, formate and lactate. Morphological studies indicated the presence of peritrichous flagella, pili and an S-layer. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were C16 : 0, C14 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C18 : 1ω7c, C16 : 1ω9c, summed feature 4 (comprising iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B) and C18 : 1ω9c. The DNA G+C content of strain GCAF-1T was 30.7 mol%. Phylogenetic interference indicated that strain GCAF-1T clustered with group I of the genus Clostridium. Of strains within this cluster, strain GCAF-1T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (98.1–98.9 %) with Clostridium beijerinckii DSM 791T, C. saccharobutylicum NCP 262T, C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum N1-4T, C. puniceum DSM 2619T and C. roseum DSM 51T. However, strain GCAF-1T could be clearly distinguished from its closest phylogenetic neighbours by low levels of DNA–DNA relatedness (<50 %) and some phenotypic features. Based on the evidence presented here, strain GCAF-1T ( = DSM 23318T  = KCTC 5935T) represents a novel species of the genus Clostridium, for which the name Clostridium chromiireducens sp. nov. is proposed.

Nanobiotechnology with S-layer proteins as building blocks

One of the key challenges in nanobiotechnology is the utilization of self- assembly systems, wherein molecules spontaneously associate into reproducible aggregates and supramolecular structures. In this contribution, we describe the basic principles of crystalline bacterial surface layers (S-layers) and their use as patterning elements. The broad application potential of S-layers in nanobiotechnology is based on the specific intrinsic features of the monomolecular arrays composed of identical protein or glycoprotein subunits. Most important, physicochemical properties and functional groups on the protein lattice are arranged in well-defined positions and orientations. Many applications of S-layers depend on the capability of isolated subunits to recrystallize into monomolecular arrays in suspension or on suitable surfaces (e.g., polymers, metals, silicon wafers) or interfaces (e.g., lipid films, liposomes, emulsomes). S-layers also represent a unique structural basis and patterning element for generating more complex supramolecular structures involving all major classes of biological molecules (e.g., proteins, lipids, glycans, nucleic acids, or combinations of these). Thus, S-layers fulfill key requirements as building blocks for the production of new supramolecular materials and nanoscale devices as required in molecular nanotechnology, nanobiotechnology, biomimetics, and synthetic biology.

Modular arrangement of a cellulosomal scaffoldin subunit revealed from the crystal structure of a cohesin dyad

The cellulosome complex is composed of a conglomerate of subunits, each of which comprises a set of interacting functional modules. Scaffoldin (Sca), a major cellulosomal subunit, is responsible for organizing the cellulolytic subunits into the complex. This is accomplished by the interaction of two complementary classes of modules-a cohesin (Coh) module on the Sca subunit and a dockerin module on each of the enzymatic subunits. Although individual Coh modules from different cellulosomal scaffoldins have been subjected to intensive structural investigation, the Sca subunit in its entirety has not, and there remains a paucity of information on the arrangement and interactions of Cohs within the Sca subunit. In the present work, we describe the crystal structure of a type II Coh dyad from the ScaB "adaptor" Sca of Acetivibrio cellulolyticus. The ScaB Cohs are oriented in an "antiparallel" manner relative to one another, with their dockerin-interacting surfaces (beta-strands 8-3-6-5) facing the same direction-aligned on the same plane. A set of extensive hydrophobic and hydrogen-bond contacts between the Cohs and the short interconnecting linker segment between them stabilizes the modular orientation. This Coh dyad structure provides novel information about Coh-Coh association and arrangement in the Sca and further insight into intermodular linker interactions. Putative structural arrangements of a hexamodular complex, composed of the Coh dyad bound to two X-dockerin modules, were suggested.

Analysis of high-level S-layer protein secretion inCaulobacter crescentus

Caulobacter crescentus exhibits a hexagonally arranged protein layer on its outermost surface. RsaA, the sole protein of this “S-layer”, is secreted by a type I (ABC) transporter. Few type I transporters show high-level secretion, and few bacterial S-layers have been carefully examined for the amount of protein synthesis capacity needed to maintain cell coverage. Here we determined RsaA levels by quantitative immunoblotting methods, learned that very stable mRNA is a key factor in high-level secretion, and found that the transporter was capable of still higher secretion. A propensity for RsaA to aggregate was a barrier to quantitation, but with the use of S-layer shedding mutants and methods to keep RsaA soluble, we learned that ~31% of cell protein is RsaA. When multiple copies of rsaA were introduced, the level increased to ~51% of cell protein, a higher level than we are aware of for any protein in any bacterium. Unexpectedly, in comparing normal and S-layer shedding strains, an assembled S-layer was not a significant barrier to elevated secretion. The rsaA mRNA half-life was determined by real-time PCR to be 36 min, ranking with the most stable known in bacteria. A modification of the 5′ region resulted in a shorter half-life and a reduction in maximum protein synthesis levels. If secretion was prevented by knockout of type I transporter genes, RsaA levels dropped to 10% or less of normal, but with no significant reduction in rsaA mRNA. Overall, normal levels of RsaA were unexpectedly high, and still higher levels were not limited by transporter capability, the presence of an assembled S-layer, or the capacity of the cell’s physiology to produce large amounts of one protein. The normal upper limit of RsaA production appears to be controlled only by the level of an unusually stable message. Significant down-regulation is possible and is accomplished posttranscriptionally.

A Bacillus anthracis S-layer homology protein that binds heme and mediates heme delivery to IsdC

The sequestration of iron by mammalian hosts represents a significant obstacle to the establishment of a bacterial infection. In response, pathogenic bacteria have evolved mechanisms to acquire iron from host heme. Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, utilizes secreted hemophores to scavenge heme from host hemoglobin, thereby facilitating iron acquisition from extracellular heme pools and delivery to iron-regulated surface determinant (Isd) proteins covalently attached to the cell wall. However, several Gram-positive pathogens, including B. anthracis, contain genes that encode near iron transporter (NEAT) proteins that are genomically distant from the genetically linked Isd locus. NEAT domains are protein modules that partake in several functions related to heme transport, including binding heme and hemoglobin. This finding raises interesting questions concerning the relative role of these NEAT proteins, relative to hemophores and the Isd system, in iron uptake. Here, we present evidence that a B. anthracis S-layer homology (SLH) protein harboring a NEAT domain binds and directionally transfers heme to the Isd system via the cell wall protein IsdC. This finding suggests that the Isd system can receive heme from multiple inputs and may reflect an adaptation of B. anthracis to changing iron reservoirs during an infection. Understanding the mechanism of heme uptake in pathogenic bacteria is important for the development of novel therapeutics to prevent and treat bacterial infections.

Species-specific cell wall binding affinity of the S-layer proteins of mosquitocidal bacterium Bacillus sphaericus C3-41

The binding affinities and specificities of six truncated S-layer homology domain (SLH) polypeptides of mosquitocidal Bacillus sphaericus strain C3-41 with the purified cell wall sacculi have been assayed. The results indicated that the SLH polypeptide comprised of amino acids 31 to 210 was responsible for anchoring the S-layer subunits to the rigid cell wall layer via a distinct type of secondary cell wall polymer and that a motif of the recombinant SLH polypeptide comprising amino acids 152 to 210 (rSLH(152-210)) was essential for the stable binding of the S-layer with the bacterial cell walls. The quantitative assays revealed that the K(D) (equilibrium dissociation constant) values of rSLH(152-210) and rSLH(31-210) with purified cell wall sacculi were 1.11 x 10(-6) M and 1.40 x 10(-6) M, respectively. The qualitative assays demonstrated that the SLH domain of strain C3-41 could bind only to the cell walls or the cells treated with 5 M guanidinium hydrochloride of both toxic and nontoxic B. sphaericus strains but not to those from other bacteria, indicating the species-specific binding of the SLH polypeptide of B. sphaericus with bacterial cell walls.

From cellulosomes to cellulosomics

Cellulosomes are intricate multienzyme systems produced by several cellulolytic bacteria, the first example of which was discovered in the anaerobic thermophilic bacterium, Clostridium thermocellum. Cellulosomes are designed for efficient degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides, notably cellulose--the most abundant renewable polymer on earth. The component parts of the multicomponent complex are integrated by virtue of a unique family of integrating modules, the cohesins and the dockerins, whose distribution and specificity dictate the overall cellulosome architecture. A full generation of research has elapsed since the original publications that documented the cellulosome concept. In this review, we provide a personal account on the discovery process, while describing how divergent cellulosome systems were identified and investigated, culminating in the collaboration of several labs worldwide to tackle together the challenging field of cellulosome genomics and metagenomics.

Structural characterization of the acid-degraded secondary cell wall polymer of Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2

The secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2, which is involved in the anchoring of the surface-layer protein to the bacterial cell wall layer, is composed of 2-amino-2-deoxy- and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannose, and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-mannuronic acid. The primary structure of the acid-degraded polysaccharide--liberated by HF-treatment from the cell wall--was determined by high-field NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry using N-acetylated and hydrolyzed polysaccharide derivatives as well as Smith-degradation. The polysaccharide was shown to consist of a tetrasaccharide repeating unit containing a pyruvic acid acetal at a side-chain 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl residue. Substoichiometric substitutions of the repeating unit were observed concerning the degree of N-acetylation of glucosamine residues and the presence of side-chain linked 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl units: [Formula: see text].

Cohesin-dockerin microarray: Diverse specificities between two complementary families of interacting protein modules

The cellulosome is an intricate multienzyme complex, designed for efficient degradation of plant cell wall polysaccharides, notably cellulose. The supramolecular cellulosome architecture in different bacteria is the consequence of the types and specificities of the interacting cohesin and dockerin modules, borne by the different cellulosomal subunits. In this study, we describe a microarray system for determining cohesin-dockerin specificity, which allows global comparison among the interactions between various members of these two complementary families of interacting protein modules. Matching recombinant fusion proteins were prepared that contained one of the interacting modules: cohesins were joined to an appropriate cellulose-binding module (CBM) and the dockerins were fused to a thermostable xylanase that served to enhance expression and proper folding. The CBM-fused cohesins were immobilized on cellulose-coated glass slides, to which xylanase-fused dockerin samples were applied. Knowledge of the specificity characteristics of native and mutated members of the cohesin and dockerin families provides insight into the architecture of the parent cellulosome and allows selection of suitable cohesin-dockein pairs for biotechnological and nanotechnological application. Using this approach, extensive cross-species interaction among type-II cohesins and dockerins is shown for the first time. Selective intraspecies binding of an archaeal dockerin to two complementary cohesins is also demonstrated.

High-affinity interaction between the S-layer protein SbsC and the secondary cell wall polymer of Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 determined by surface plasmon resonance technology

Surface plasmon resonance studies using C-terminal truncation forms of the S-layer protein SbsC (recombinant SbsC consisting of amino acids 31 to 270 [rSbsC(31-270)] and rSbsC(31-443)) and the secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) isolated from Geobacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 confirmed the exclusive responsibility of the N-terminal region comprising amino acids 31 to 270 for SCWP binding. Quantitative analyses indicated binding behavior demonstrating low, medium, and high affinities.

S-layers as a tool kit for nanobiotechnological applications

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.

Proteomic profile changes in membranes of ethanol-tolerant Clostridium thermocellum

Clostridium thermocellum, a cellulolytic, thermophilic anaerobe, has potential for commercial exploitation in converting fibrous biomass to ethanol. However, ethanol concentrations above 1% (w/v) are inhibitory to growth and fermentation, and this limits industrial application of the organism. Recent work with ethanol-adapted strains suggested that protein changes occurred during ethanol adaptation, particularly in the membrane proteome. A two-stage Bicine-doubled sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protocol was designed to separate membrane proteins and circumvent problems associated with membrane protein analysis using traditional gel-based proteomics approaches. Wild-type and ethanol-adapted C. thermocellum membranes displayed similar spot diversity and approximately 60% of proteins identified from purified membrane fractions were observed to be differentially expressed in the two strains. A majority (73%) of differentially expressed proteins were down-regulated in the ethanol-adapted strain. Based on putative identifications, a significant proportion of these down-regulated proteins were involved with carbohydrate transport and metabolism. Approximately one-third of the up-regulated proteins in the ethanol-adapted species were associated with chemotaxis and signal transduction. Overall, the results suggested that membrane-associated proteins in the ethanol-adapted strain are either being synthesized in lower quantities or not properly incorporated into the cell membrane.

Binding of S-layer homology modules from Clostridium thermocellum SdbA to peptidoglycans

S-layer homology (SLH) module polypeptides were derived from Clostridium josui xylanase Xyn10A, Clostridium stercorarium xylanase Xyn10B, and Clostridium thermocellum scafoldin dockerin binding protein SdbA as rXyn10A-SLH, rXyn10B-SLH, and rSdbA-SLH, respectively. Their binding specificities were investigated using various cell wall preparations. rXyn10A-SLH and rXyn10B-SLH bound to native peptidoglycan-containing sacculi consisting of peptidoglycan and secondary cell wall polymers (SCWP) prepared from these bacteria but not to hydrofluoric acid-extracted peptidoglycan-containing sacculi (HF-EPCS) lacking SCWP, suggesting that SCWP are responsible for binding with SLH modules. In contrast, rSdbA-SLH interacted with HF-EPCS, suggesting that this polypeptide had an affinity for peptidoglycans but not for SCWP. The affinity of rSdbA-SLH for peptidoglycans was confirmed by a binding assay using a peptidoglycan fraction prepared from Escherichia coli cells. The SLH modules of SdbA must be useful for cell surface engineering in bacteria that do not contain SCWP.

Unconventional mode of attachment of the Ruminococcus flavefaciens cellulosome to the cell surface

Sequence extension of the scaffoldin gene cluster from Ruminococcus flavefaciens revealed a new gene (scaE) that encodes a protein with an N-terminal cohesin domain and a C terminus with a typical gram-positive anchoring signal for sortase-mediated attachment to the bacterial cell wall. The recombinant cohesin of ScaE was recovered after expression in Escherichia coli and was shown to bind to the C-terminal domain of the cellulosomal structural protein ScaB, as well as to three unknown polypeptides derived from native cellulose-bound Ruminococcus flavefaciens protein extracts. The ScaB C terminus includes a cryptic dockerin domain that is unusual in its sequence, and considerably larger than conventional dockerins. The ScaB dockerin binds to ScaE, suggesting that this interaction occurs through a novel cohesin-dockerin pairing. The novel ScaB dockerin was expressed as a xylanase fusion protein, which was shown to bind tenaciously and selectively to a recombinant form of the ScaE cohesin. Thus, ScaE appears to play a role in anchoring the cellulosomal complex to the bacterial cell envelope via its interaction with ScaB. This sortase-mediated mechanism for covalent cell-wall anchoring of the cellulosome in R. flavefaciens differs from those reported thus far for any other cellulosome system.

Expression, purification and structural characterization of the scaffoldin hydrophilic X-module from the cellulosome of Clostridium thermocellum

The cellulosome is a membrane-bound, extracellular multi-subunit complex responsible for the degradation of crystalline cellulose by a number of organisms including anaerobic bacteria and fungi. The hydrophilic X-module (CipA-X) from the modular scaffoldin subunit of Clostridium thermocellum cellulosome has been proposed to play various roles in cellulosomal function, including thermal and structural stability. Towards elucidating the function of CipA-X using structural and biophysical studies, the region comprising residues 1692-1785 from the C. thermocellum CipA cDNA encoding CipA-X was cloned into a pET21b expression vector. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the C-terminal His-tagged protein accumulated in the insoluble fraction. Cell fractionation experiments showed that the recombinant protein was localized to inclusion bodies. Refolding and purification involved denaturation of the whole cell lysate by addition of urea, followed by a nickel-Sepharose chromatography step and dialysis into native conditions (25 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 50 mM NaCl, and 10 mM EDTA). A final gel filtration step purified the protein to homogeneity, yielding 40 mg/L. The two-dimensional 1H-15N correlation spectrum of uniformly 15N-labelled CipA-X showed the characteristics of a well-folded protein comprising significant beta-structure, which is in agreement with the circular dichroism data.

Hydrophilic domains of scaffolding protein CbpA promote glycosyl hydrolase activity and localization of cellulosomes to the cell surface of Clostridium cellulovorans

CbpA, the scaffolding protein of Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosomes, possesses one family 3 cellulose binding domain, nine cohesin domains, and four hydrophilic domains (HLDs). Among the three types of domains, the function of the HLDs is still unknown. We proposed previously that the HLDs of CbpA play a role in attaching the cellulosome to the cell surface, since they showed some homology to the surface layer homology domains of EngE. Several recombinant proteins with HLDs (rHLDs) and recombinant EngE (rEngE) were examined to determine their binding to the C. cellulovorans cell wall fraction. Tandemly linked rHLDs showed higher affinity for the cell wall than individual rHLDs showed. EngE was shown to have a higher affinity for cell walls than rHLDs have. C. cellulovorans native cellulosomes were found to have higher affinity for cell walls than rHLDs have. When immunoblot analysis was carried out with the native cellulosome fraction bound to cell wall fragments, the presence of EngE was also confirmed, suggesting that the mechanism anchoring CbpA to the C. cellulovorans cell surface was mediated through EngE and that the HLDs play a secondary role in the attachment of the cellulosome to the cell surface. During a study of the role of HLDs on cellulose degradation, the mini-cellulosome complexes with HLDs degraded cellulose more efficiently than complexes without HLDs degraded cellulose. The rHLDs also showed binding affinity for crystalline cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. These results suggest that the CbpA HLDs play a major role and a minor role in C. cellulovorans cellulosomes. The primary role increases cellulose degradation activity by binding the cellulosome complex to the cellulose substrate; secondarily, HLDs aid the binding of the CbpA/cellulosome to the C. cellulovorans cell surface.

A novel Acetivibrio cellulolyticus anchoring scaffoldin that bears divergent cohesins

Sequencing of a cellulosome-integrating gene cluster in Acetivibrio cellulolyticus was completed. The cluster contains four tandem scaffoldin genes (scaA, scaB, scaC, and scaD) bounded upstream and downstream, respectively, by a presumed cellobiose phosphorylase and a nucleotide methylase. The sequences and properties of scaA, scaB, and scaC were reported previously, and those of scaD are reported here. The scaD gene encodes an 852-residue polypeptide that includes a signal peptide, three cohesins, and a C-terminal S-layer homology (SLH) module. The calculated molecular weight of the mature ScaD is 88,960; a 67-residue linker segment separates cohesins 1 and 2, and two approximately 30-residue linkers separate cohesin 2 from 3 and cohesin 3 from the SLH module. The presence of an SLH module in ScaD indicates its role as an anchoring protein. The first two ScaD cohesins can be classified as type II, similar to the four cohesins of ScaB. Surprisingly, the third ScaD cohesin belongs to the type I cohesins, like the seven ScaA cohesins. ScaD is the first scaffoldin to be described that contains divergent types of cohesins as integral parts of the polypeptide chain. The recognition properties among selected recombinant cohesins and dockerins from the different scaffoldins of the gene cluster were investigated by affinity blotting. The results indicated that the divergent types of ScaD cohesins also differ in their preference of dockerins. ScaD thus plays a dual role, both as a primary scaffoldin, capable of direct incorporation of a single dockerin-borne enzyme, and as a secondary scaffoldin that anchors the major primary scaffoldin, ScaA and its complement of enzymes to the cell surface.

The bacterial scaffoldin: structure, function and potential applications in the nanosciences

Natural protein complexes may provide the best templates for nanometer-scale technology and new biomaterials. The bacterial cellulosome is becoming a well-understood multi-protein complex found in cellulolytic microorganisms. The scaffoldin subunits of the bacterial cellulosome function to organize and position other protein subunits into the complex. The scaffoldins can also serve as an attachment device for harnessing the cellulosome onto the cell surface and/or for its targeting to substrate. Biochemical and molecular biological evidence have identified a receptor/adaptor type of protein domain pair, called "cohesin and dockerin," which is responsible for cellulosome self-assembly. The recognition between cohesin and dockerin is generally type and/or species specific. More than 80 cohesin and 100 dockerin sequences have been found, mostly from anaerobic bacteria. X-ray crystallography and NMR have been used to determine the three-dimensional structures of representative cohesin and dockerin domains, respectively. The cohesin peptide is about 140 amino acids in length and highly conserved in sequence and domain structure. The dockerin domain comprises about 70 amino acids and contains two 22 amino acid duplicated regions, each of which includes an "F-hand" modification of the EF-hand calcium-binding motif. Biochemical evidence and site-directed mutagenesis have confirmed that the two F-hand motifs are required for function and calcium dependence; at least two amino acids from each motif are critical for cohesin-dockerin recognition. In this report, we review the structure and function of the scaffoldin of the bacterial cellulosome and emphasize a detailed sequence analysis of the cohesin and dockerin domains. We also speculate about potential applications in nanoscience that may be based on cohesin-dockerin recognition.

Unusual microbial xylanases from insect guts

Recombinant DNA technologies enable the direct isolation and expression of novel genes from biotopes containing complex consortia of uncultured microorganisms. In this study, genomic libraries were constructed from microbial DNA isolated from insect intestinal tracts from the orders Isoptera (termites) and Lepidoptera (moths). Using a targeted functional assay, these environmental DNA libraries were screened for genes that encode proteins with xylanase activity. Several novel xylanase enzymes with unusual primary sequences and novel domains of unknown function were discovered. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated remarkable distance between the sequences of these enzymes and other known xylanases. Biochemical analysis confirmed that these enzymes are true xylanases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of a variety of substituted beta-1,4-linked xylose oligomeric and polymeric substrates and produce unique hydrolysis products. From detailed polyacrylamide carbohydrate electrophoresis analysis of substrate cleavage patterns, the xylan polymer binding sites of these enzymes are proposed.

Construction of a functional S-layer fusion protein comprising an immunoglobulin G-binding domain for development of specific adsorbents for extracorporeal blood purification

The chimeric gene encoding a C-terminally-truncated form of the S-layer protein SbpA from Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 and two copies of the Fc-binding Z-domain was constructed, cloned, and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli HMS174(DE3). The Z-domain is a synthetic analogue of the B-domain of protein A, capable of binding the Fc part of immunoglobulin G (IgG). The S-layer fusion protein rSbpA(31-1068)/ZZ retained the specific properties of the S-layer protein moiety to self-assemble in suspension and to recrystallize on supports precoated with secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP), which is the natural anchoring molecule for the S-layer protein in the bacterial cell wall. Due to the construction principle of the S-layer fusion protein, the ZZ-domains remained exposed on the outermost surface of the protein lattice. The binding capacity of the native or cross-linked monolayer for human IgG was determined by surface plasmon resonance measurements. For batch adsorption experiments, 3-microm-diameter, biocompatible cellulose-based, SCWP-coated microbeads were used for recrystallization of the S-layer fusion protein. In the case of the native monolayer, the binding capacity for human IgG was 5.1 ng/mm(2), whereas after cross-linking with dimethyl pimelimidate, 4.4 ng of IgG/mm(2) was bound. This corresponded to 78 and 65% of the theoretical saturation capacity of a planar surface for IgGs aligned in the upright position, respectively. Compared to commercial particles used as immunoadsorbents to remove autoantibodies from sera of patients suffering from an autoimmune disease, the IgG binding capacity of the S-layer fusion protein-coated microbeads was at least 20 times higher. For that reason, this novel type of microbeads should find application in the microsphere-based detoxification system.

Interaction of the crystalline bacterial cell surface layer protein SbsB and the secondary cell wall polymer of Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72 assessed by real-time surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology

The interaction between S-layer protein SbsB and the secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) of Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2 was investigated by real-time surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology. The SCWP is an acidic polysaccharide that contains N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylmannosamine, and pyruvic acid. For interaction studies, recombinant SbsB (rSbsB) and two truncated forms consisting of either the S-layer-like homology (SLH) domain (3SLH) or the residual part of SbsB were used. Independent of the setup, the data showed that the SLH domain was exclusively responsible for SCWP binding. The interaction was found to be highly specific, since neither the peptidoglycan nor SCWPs from other organisms nor other polysaccharides were recognized. Data analysis from that setup in which 3SLH was immobilized on a sensor chip and SCWP represented the soluble analyte was done in accordance with a model that describes binding of a bivalent analyte to a fixed ligand in terms of an overall affinity for all binding sites. The measured data revealed the presence of at least two binding sites on a single SCWP molecule with a distance of about 14 nm and an overall Kd of 7.7 x 10(-7) M. Analysis of data from the inverted setup in which the SCWP was immobilized on a sensor chip was done in accordance with an extension of the heterogeneous-ligand model, which indicated the existence of three binding sites with low (Kd = 2.6 x 10(-5) M), medium (Kd = 6.1 x 10(-8) M), and high (Kd = 6.7 x 10(-11) M) affinities. Since in this setup 3SLH was the soluble analyte and the presence of small amounts of oligomers in even monomeric protein solutions cannot be excluded, the high-affinity binding site may result from avidity effects caused by binding of at least dimeric 3SLH. Solution competition assays performed with both setups confirmed the specificity of the protein-carbohydrate interaction investigated.

Architecture of the Bacteroides cellulosolvens cellulosome: description of a cell surface-anchoring scaffoldin and a family 48 cellulase

A large gene downstream of the primary Bacteroides cellulosolvens cellulosomal scaffoldin (cipBc, now renamed scaA) was sequenced. The gene, termed scaB, contained an N-terminal leader peptide followed by 10 type I cohesins, an "X" domain of unknown structure and function, and a C-terminal S-layer homology (SLH) surface-anchoring module. In addition, a previously identified gene in a different part of the genome, encoding for a dockerin-borne family 48 cellulosomal glycoside hydrolase (Cel48), was sequenced completely, and a putative cellulosome-related family 9 glycosyl hydrolase was detected. Recombinant fusion proteins, comprising dockerins derived from either the ScaA scaffoldin or Cel48, were overexpressed. Their interaction with ScaA and ScaB cohesins was examined by immunoassay. The results indicated that the ScaB type I cohesin of the new anchoring protein binds selectively to the ScaA dockerin, whereas the Cel48 dockerin binds specifically to the type II ScaA cohesin 5. Thus, by virtue of the 11 type II ScaA cohesins and the 10 type I ScaB cohesins, the relatively simple two-component cellulosome-integrating complex would potentially incorporate 110 enzyme molecules onto the cell surface via the ScaB SLH module. Compared to previously described cellulosome systems, the apparent roles of the B. cellulosolvens cohesins are reversed, in that the type II cohesins are located on the enzyme-binding primary scaffoldin, whereas the type I cohesins are located on the anchoring scaffoldin. The results underscore the extensive diversity in the supramolecular architecture of cellulosome systems in nature.

Biophysical characterization of the entire bacterial surface layer protein SbsB and its two distinct functional domains

The crystalline bacterial cell surface layer (S-layer) protein SbsB of Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2 was dissected into an N-terminal part defined by the three consecutive S-layer homologous motifs and the remaining large C-terminal part. Both parts of the mature protein were produced as separate recombinant proteins (rSbsB(1-178) and rSbsB(177-889)) and compared with the full-length form rSbsB(1-889) (rSbsB). Evidence for functional and structural integrity of the two truncated forms was provided by optical spectroscopic methods and electron microscopy. In particular, binding of the secondary cell wall polymer revealed a high affinity dissociation constant of 3 nm and could be assigned solely to the soluble rSbsB(1-178), whereas rSbsB(177-889) self-assembled into the same lattice as the full-length protein. Furthermore, thermal as well as guanidinium hydrochloride induced equilibrium unfolding profiles monitored by intrinsic fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy allowed characterization of rSbsB(1-178) as an alpha-helical protein with a single cooperative unfolding transition yielding a DeltaG value of 26.5 kJ mol(-1). The C-terminal rSbsB(177-889) could be characterized as a beta-sheet protein with typical multidomain unfolding, which is partially less stable as stand-alone protein. In general, the truncated forms showed identical properties compared with the full-length rSbsB with respect to structure and function. Consequently, rSbsB is characterized by its two functionally and structurally separated parts, the specific secondary cell wall polymer binding rSbsB(1-178) and the larger rSbsB(177-889) responsible for formation of the crystalline array.

The cellulosome system of Acetivibrio cellulolyticus includes a novel type of adaptor protein and a cell surface anchoring protein

A scaffoldin gene cluster was identified in the mesophilic cellulolytic anaerobe Acetivibrio cellulolyticus. The previously described scaffoldin gene, cipV, encodes an N-terminal family 9 glycoside hydrolase, a family 3b cellulose-binding domain, seven cohesin domains, and a C-terminal dockerin. The gene immediately downstream of cipV was sequenced and designated scaB. The protein encoded by this gene has 942 amino acid residues and a calculated molecular weight of 100,358 and includes an N-terminal signal peptide, four type II cohesions, and a C-terminal dockerin. ScaB cohesins 1 and 2 are very closely linked. Similar, but not identical, 39-residue Thr-rich linker segments separate cohesin 2 from cohesin 3 and cohesin 3 from cohesin 4, and an 84-residue Thr-rich linker connects the fourth cohesin to a C-terminal dockerin. The scaC gene downstream of scaB codes for a 1,237-residue polypeptide that includes a signal peptide, three cohesins, and a C-terminal S-layer homology (SLH) module. A long, ca. 550-residue linker separates the third cohesin and the SLH module of ScaC and is characterized by an 18-residue Pro-Thr-Ala-Ser-rich segment that is repeated 27 times. The calculated molecular weight of the mature ScaC polypeptide (excluding the signal peptide) is 124,162. The presence of the cohesins and the conserved SLH module implies that ScaC acts as an anchoring protein. The ScaC cohesins are on a separate branch of the phylogenetic tree that is close to, but distinct from, the type I cohesins. Affinity blotting with representative recombinant probes revealed the following specific intermodular interactions: (i) an expressed CipV cohesin binds selectively to an enzyme-borne dockerin, (ii) a representative ScaB cohesin binds to the CipV band of the cell-free supernatant fraction, and (iii) a ScaC cohesin binds to the ScaB dockerin. The experimental evidence thus indicates that CipV acts as a primary (enzyme-recognizing) scaffoldin, and the protein was also designated ScaA. In addition, ScaB is thought to assume the role of an adaptor protein, which connects the primary scaffoldin (ScaA) to the cohesin-containing anchoring scaffoldin (ScaC). The cellulosome system of A. cellulolyticus thus appears to exhibit a special type of organization that reflects the function of the ScaB adaptor protein. The intercalation of three multiple cohesin-containing scaffoldins results in marked amplification of the number of enzyme subunits per cellulosome unit. At least 96 enzymes can apparently be incorporated into an individual A. cellulolyticus cellulosome. The role of such amplified enzyme incorporation and the resultant proximity of the enzymes within the cellulosome complex presumably contribute to the enhanced synergistic action and overall efficient digestion of recalcitrant forms of cellulose. Comparison of the emerging organization of the A. cellulolyticus cellulosome with the organizations in other cellulolytic bacteria revealed the diversity of the supramolecular architecture.

Structural and functional analysis of the S-layer protein crystallisation domain of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356: evidence for protein-protein interaction of two subdomains

The structure of the crystallisation domain, SAN, of the S(A)-protein of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 was analysed by insertion and deletion mutagenesis, and by proteolytic treatment. Mutant S(A)-protein synthesised in Escherichia coli with 7-13 amino acid insertions near the N terminus or within regions of sequence variation in SAN (amino acid position 7, 45, 114, 125, 193), or in the cell wall-binding domain (position 345) could form crystalline sheets, whereas insertions in conserved regions or in regions with predicted secondary structure elements (positions 30, 67, 88 and 156) destroyed this capacity. FACscan analysis of L.acidophilus synthesising three crystallising and one non-crystallising S(A)-protein c-myc (19 amino acid residues) insertion mutant was performed with c-myc antibodies. Fluorescence was most pronounced for insertions at positions 125 and 156, less for position 45 and severely reduced for position 7. By cytometric flow sorting a transformant harbouring the mutant S(A)-protein gene (position 125) was isolated that showed an increased fluorescense signal. Immunofluorescence microscopy suggested that the transformant synthesized mutant S(A)-protein only. PCR analysis of the transformant grown in the absence of selection pressure indicated that the mutant allele was stably integrated in the chromosome. Proteolytic treatment of S(A)-protein indicated that only sites near the middle of SAN are susceptible, although potential cleavage sites are present through the entire molecule. Expression in E.coli of DNA sequences encoding the two halves of SAN yielded peptides that could oligomerize. Our results indicate that SAN consists of a approximately 12kDa N and a approximately 18kDa C-terminal subdomain linked by a surface exposed loop. The capacity of S(A)-protein of L.acidophilus to present epitopes, up to approximately 19 amino acid residues in length, at the bacterial surface in a genetically stable form, makes the system, in principle, suitable for application as an oral delivery vehicle.

The first biantennary bacterial secondary cell wall polymer and its influence on S-layer glycoprotein assembly

The cell surface of Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus DSM 10155 is covered with a square surface (S)-layer glycoprotein lattice. This S-layer glycoprotein, which was extracted with aqueous buffers after a freeze-thaw cycle of the bacterial cells, is the only completely water-soluble S-layer glycoprotein to be reported to date. The purified S-layer glycoprotein preparation had an overall carbohydrate content of 19%. Detailed chemical investigations indicated that the S-layer O-glycans of previously established structure accounted for 13% of total glycosylation. The remainder could be attributed to a peptidoglycan-associated secondary cell wall polymer. Structure analysis was performed using purified secondary cell wall polymer-peptidoglycan complexes. NMR spectroscopy revealed the first biantennary secondary cell wall polymer from the domain Bacteria, with the structure alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)-beta-L-Man p NAc-(1-->4)-beta-L-Gal p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)-beta-L-Man p NAc-(1-->4)-beta-L-Gal p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)-beta-L-Man p NAc-(1-->4)-beta-L-Gal p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)-beta-L-Man p NAc-(1-->4)-beta-L-Gal p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)]-beta-L-Man p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)-beta-L-Man p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Glc p NAc-(1-->O)-PO(2)(-)-O-PO(2)(-)-(O-->6)-MurNAc- (where MurNAc is N -acetylmuramic acid). The neutral polysaccharide is linked via a pyrophosphate bond to the C-6 atom of every fourth N -acetylmuramic acid residue, in average, of the A1gamma-type peptidoglycan. In vivo, the biantennary polymer anchored the S-layer glycoprotein very effectively to the cell wall, probably due to the doubling of motifs for a proposed lectin-like binding between the polymer and the N-terminus of the S-layer protein. When the cellular support was removed during S-layer glycoprotein isolation, the co-purified polymer mediated the solubility of the S-layer glycoprotein in vitro. Initial crystallization experiments performed with the soluble S-layer glycoprotein revealed that the assembly property could be restored upon dissociation of the polymer by the addition of poly(ethylene glycols). The formed two-dimensional crystalline S-layer self-assembly products exhibited the same lattice symmetry as observed on intact bacterial cells.

Molecular characterization of the S-layer gene, sbpA, of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 and production of a functional S-layer fusion protein with the ability to recrystallize in a defined orientation while presenting the fused allergen

The nucleotide sequence encoding the crystalline bacterial cell surface (S-layer) protein SbpA of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 was determined by a PCR-based technique using four overlapping fragments. The entire sbpA sequence indicated one open reading frame of 3,804 bp encoding a protein of 1,268 amino acids with a theoretical molecular mass of 132,062 Da and a calculated isoelectric point of 4.69. The N-terminal part of SbpA, which is involved in anchoring the S-layer subunits via a distinct type of secondary cell wall polymer to the rigid cell wall layer, comprises three S-layer-homologous motifs. For screening of amino acid positions located on the outer surface of the square S-layer lattice, the sequence encoding Strep-tag I, showing affinity to streptavidin, was linked to the 5' end of the sequence encoding the recombinant S-layer protein (rSbpA) or a C-terminally truncated form (rSbpA(31-1068)). The deletion of 200 C-terminal amino acids did not interfere with the self-assembly properties of the S-layer protein but significantly increased the accessibility of Strep-tag I. Thus, the sequence encoding the major birch pollen allergen (Bet v1) was fused via a short linker to the sequence encoding the C-terminally truncated form rSpbA(31-1068). Labeling of the square S-layer lattice formed by recrystallization of rSbpA(31-1068)/Bet v1 on peptidoglycan-containing sacculi with a Bet v1-specific monoclonal mouse antibody demonstrated the functionality of the fused protein sequence and its location on the outer surface of the S-layer lattice. The specific interactions between the N-terminal part of SbpA and the secondary cell wall polymer will be exploited for an oriented binding of the S-layer fusion protein on solid supports to generate regularly structured functional protein lattices.

Cell-surface-anchoring role of N-terminal surface layer homology domains of Clostridium cellulovorans EngE

engE, coding for endoglucanase E, one of the three major subunits of the Clostridium cellulovorans cellulosome, has been cloned and sequenced (Y. Tamaru and R. H. Doi, J. Bacteriol. 181:3270-3276, 1999). The N-terminal-half region of EngE possesses three repeated surface layer homology (SLH) domains, which are homologous to those of some bacterial S-layer proteins. Also, the C-terminal-half region consists of a catalytic domain of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and a duplicated sequence (dockerin) for binding EngE to scaffolding protein CbpA. Our hypothesis is that the SLH domains serve in the role of anchoring to the cell surface. This model was investigated by using recombinant EngEs (rEngE) with and without SLH domains that were synthesized in Escherichia coli and cell wall preparations from C. cellulovorans. When rEngE and SLH polypeptides of EngE were incubated with cell wall fragments prepared by sodium dodecyl sulfate treatment, these proteins bound strongly to the cell wall. However, rEngEs without SLH domains lost their ability to bind to cell walls. When rEngE was incubated with mini-CbpA, consisting of two cohesin domains, and cell wall fragments, the mini-CbpA was able to bind to the cell wall with rEngE. However, the binding of mini-CbpA was dramatically inhibited by addition of a chelating reagent, such as EDTA, which prevents cohesin-dockerin interactions. These results suggest not only that the SLH domains of EngE can bind to the cell surface but also that EngE plays an anchoring role for cellulosomes through the interaction of its dockerin domain with a CbpA cohesin.

Analysis of the structure-function relationship of the S-layer protein SbsC of Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 by producing truncated forms

The mature surface layer (S-layer) protein SbsC of Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 comprises amino acids 31-1099 and self-assembles into an oblique lattice type which functions as an adhesion site for a cell-associated high-molecular-mass exoamylase. To elucidate the structure-function relationship of distinct segments of SbsC, three N- and seven C-terminal truncations were produced in a heterologous expression system, isolated, purified and their properties compared with those of the recombinant mature S-layer protein rSbsC(31-1099). With the various truncated forms it could be demonstrated that the N-terminal part (aa 31-257) is responsible for anchoring the S-layer subunits via a distinct type of secondary cell wall polymer to the rigid cell wall layer, but this positively charged segment is not required for the self-assembly of SbsC, nor for generating the oblique lattice structure. If present, the N-terminal part leads to the formation of in vitro double-layer self-assembly products. Affinity studies further showed that the N-terminal part includes an exoamylase-binding site. Interestingly, the N-terminal part carries two sequences of 6 and 7 aa (AKAALD and KAAYEAA) that were also identified on the amylase-binding protein AbpA of Streptococcus gordonii. In contrast to the self-assembling N-terminal truncation rSbsC(258-1099), two further N-terminal truncations (rSbsC(343-1099), rSbsC(447-1099)) and three C-terminal truncations (rSbsC(31-713), rSbsC(31-844), rSbsC(31-860)) had lost the ability to self-assemble and stayed in the water-soluble state. Studies with the self-assembling C-terminal truncations rSbsC(31-880), rSbsC(31-900) and rSbsC(31-920) revealed that the C-terminal 219 aa can be deleted without interfering with the self-assembly process, while the C-terminal 179 aa are not required for the formation of the oblique lattice structure.

A general strategy for identification of S-layer genes in the Bacillus cereus group: molecular characterization of such a gene in Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. galleriae NRRL 4045

Despite its possible role in virulence, there has been little molecular characterization of members of the S-layer protein family of the Bacillus cereus group. It is hypothesized that the components of the S-layers are likely to display similar anchoring structures in Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus anthracis. Based on inferred sequence similarities, a DNA fragment encoding the cell-wall-anchoring domain of an S-layer component of BAC: thuringiensis subsp. galleriae NRRL 4045 was isolated. The complete gene was identified and sequenced. An ORF of 2463 nt was identified, which was predicted to encode a protein of 821 aa, SlpA. The mature SlpA protein (792 residues) carries three S-layer homology (SLH) motifs towards its amino terminus, each about 50 aa long. These motifs were sufficient to bind Bac. thuringiensis and Bac. anthracis cell walls in vitro by interacting with peptidoglycan-associated polymers, confirming a common wall-anchoring mechanism. The slpA null-allele mutant was constructed and shown to possess no other abundant surface protein. It is proposed that the method described in this paper could be applied to the identification and deletion of any Bac. cereus S-layer gene and is of great value for the molecular and functional characterization of these genes.

The S-layer protein of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356: identification and characterisation of domains responsible for S-protein assembly and cell wall binding

Lactobacillus acidophilus, like many other bacteria, harbors a surface layer consisting of a protein (S(A)-protein) of 43 kDa. S(A)-protein could be readily extracted and crystallized in vitro into large crystalline patches on lipid monolayers with a net negative charge but not on lipids with a net neutral charge. Reconstruction of the S-layer from crystals grown on dioleoylphosphatidylserine indicated an oblique lattice with unit cell dimensions (a=118 A; b=53 A, and gamma=102 degrees ) resembling those determined for the S-layer of Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 12046. Sequence comparison of S(A)-protein with S-proteins from L. helveticus, Lactobacillus crispatus and the S-proteins encoded by the silent S-protein genes from L. acidophilus and L. crispatus suggested the presence of two domains, one comprising the N-terminal two-thirds (SAN), and another made up of the C-terminal one-third (SAC) of S(A)-protein. The sequence of the N-terminal domains is variable, while that of the C-terminal domain is highly conserved in the S-proteins of these organisms and contains a tandem repeat. Proteolytic digestion of S(A)-protein showed that SAN was protease-resistant, suggesting a compact structure. SAC was rapidly degraded by proteases and therefore probably has a more accessible structure. DNA sequences encoding SAN or Green Fluorescent Protein fused to SAC (GFP-SAC) were efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified SAN could crystallize into mono and multi-layered crystals with the same lattice parameters as those found for authentic S(A)-protein. A calculated S(A)-protein minus SAN density-difference map revealed the probable location, in projection, of the SAC domain, which is missing from the truncated SAN peptide. The GFP-SAC fusion product was shown to bind to the surface of L. acidophilus, L. helveticus and L. crispatus cells from which the S-layer had been removed, but not to non-stripped cells or to Lactobacillus casei.

Structural and functional analyses of the secondary cell wall polymer of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 that serves as an S-layer-specific anchor

Sacculi of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 contain a secondary cell wall polymer which was completely extracted with 48% hydrofluoric acid. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the polymer is composed of repeating units, as follows: -->3)-[4, 6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)]( approximately 0. 5)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->. The N-terminal part of the S-layer protein carrying S-layer homologous motifs recognizes this polymer as a binding site.