Role played by exosporium glycoproteins in the surface properties of Bacillus cereus spores and in their adhesion to stainless steel

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011 Jul;77(14):4905-11. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02872-10. Epub 2011 May 27.

Abstract

Bacillus cereus spores are surrounded by a loose-fitting layer called the exosporium, whose distal part is mainly formed from glycoproteins. The role played by the exosporium glycoproteins of B. cereus ATCC 14579 (BclA and ExsH) was investigated by considering hydrophobicity and charge, as well as the properties of spore adhesion to stainless steel. The absence of BclA increased both the isoelectric point (IEP) and hydrophobicity of whole spores while simultaneously reducing the interaction between spores and stainless steel. However, neither the hydrophobicity nor the charge associated with BclA could explain the differences in the adhesion properties. Conversely, ExsH, another exosporium glycoprotein, did not play a significant role in spore surface properties. The monosaccharide analysis of B. cereus ATCC 14579 showed different glycosylation patterns on ExsH and BclA. Moreover, two specific glycosyl residues, namely, 2-O-methyl-rhamnose (2-Me-Rha) and 2,4-O-methyl-rhamnose (2,4-Me-Rha), were attached to BclA, in addition to the glycosyl residues already reported in B. anthracis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus cereus / chemistry*
  • Bacillus cereus / cytology*
  • Bacillus cereus / metabolism
  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Methylmannosides / chemistry
  • Methylmannosides / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Spores, Bacterial / chemistry
  • Stainless Steel
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Methylmannosides
  • Stainless Steel
  • 2-O-methylrhamnose

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HM071986