Phase-variable expression of a family of glycoproteins imparts a dynamic surface to a symbiont in its human intestinal ecosystem.

ABSTRACT: The recent report of the synthesis of glycoproteins by the abundant intestinal symbionts Bacteroides showed that these organisms use a novel bacterial enzyme to decorate their surfaces with a sugar residue derived from their environment. As a first step in understanding the importance of these glycoproteins to the bacteria and to the bacterial-host symbiosis, we identified and characterized the abundant glycoproteins of Bacteroides distasonis (proposed reclassification as Parabacteroides distasonis) [Sakamoto M, Benno Y (2006) Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 56:1599-1605]. Using lectin-affinity purification followed by tandem mass spectrometry, we identified a family of at least nine glycoproteins, similar only to the S-layer glycoproteins of Tannerella forsythia. Analysis of one of these purifi

SUBMITTER: Fletcher CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1892957 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature