Abstract
REGULAR arrays of macromolecular subunits have been observed on the surfaces of a wide range of bacteria in electron micrographs of negatively stained or freeze-etched preparations1,2. The regular patterns have mostly tetragonal or hexagonal symmetry and the centre-to-centre spacing between adjacent subunits varies from 6 to 15 nm. Chemical analyses of isolated subunits have shown that they are composed mainly of protein1 or glycoprotein (unpublished) with molecular weights ranging from 65,000 to 150,000. Studies of a few bacteria have shown that the isolated subunits can assemble spontaneously to form regular arrays with the same dimensions as those seen in intact bacteria3. In appropriate conditions the subunits also reattach to the surfaces of cell walls from which they have been detached. Little is known about the biological function of these regular arrays of macromolecules on bacterial surfaces. That they cover the surface, leaving no gaps2, suggests that they are important, for instance, in providing protection against adverse environmental conditions. Otherwise they would be expected to have been lost during evolution.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Glauert, A. M., and Thornley, M. J., A. Rev. Microbiol., 23, 159–198 (1969).
Sleytr, U. B., and Glauert, A. M., J. ultrastruct. Res., 50, 103–116 (1975).
Thornley, M. J., Glauert, A. M., and Sleytr, U. B., Phil Trans R. Soc., B 268, 147–153 (1974).
Hollaus, F., and Sleytr, U. B., Archs Microbiol., 86, 129–146 (1972).
Nabarro, F. R. N., and Harris, W. F., Nature, 232, 423 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SLEYTR, U. Heterologous reattachment of regular arrays of glycoproteins on bacterial surfaces. Nature 257, 400–402 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/257400a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/257400a0
This article is cited by
-
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
Archives of Microbiology (2013)
-
Das Zetapotential informiert über die Proteinadsorption
BIOspektrum (2012)
-
Protein glycosylation in bacteria: sweeter than ever
Nature Reviews Microbiology (2010)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.