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Invasion of Human Cells by a Bacterial Pathogen
Published on: March 21, 2011
Characterization of a fibronectin-binding protein from Lactobacillus casei BL23
D Muñoz-Provencio1, G Pérez-Martínez1, V Monedero1
1Laboratorio de Bacterias Lácticas y Probióticos, Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos-CSIC, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
Journal of Applied Microbiology
|September 9, 2009
Summary
The Lactobacillus casei BL23 fbpA gene product, FbpA, is a surface protein that aids in binding fibronectin. This finding contributes to understanding attachment factors in probiotic bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Probiotics
- Bacterial Adhesion
Background:
- Probiotic bacteria utilize surface proteins for adhesion.
- Fibronectin is a key extracellular matrix protein involved in cell adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Lactobacillus casei BL23 fbpA gene and its encoded protein (FbpA) in fibronectin binding.
Main Methods:
- Adhesion assays with immobilized and soluble fibronectin.
- Construction and testing of an fbpA mutant.
- Microbial adhesion to solvents test for surface hydrophobicity.
- Purification and testing of recombinant FbpA.
- Western blot and ELISA for FbpA detection and localization.
Main Results:
- L. casei BL23 demonstrated protease-sensitive binding to fibronectin.
- Inactivation of fbpA reduced fibronectin binding and surface hydrophobicity.
- Purified FbpA bound fibronectin in a dose-dependent manner.
- FbpA was confirmed as a surface-exposed protein in L. casei BL23 and other strains.
Conclusions:
- FbpA is a surface protein of L. casei BL23 involved in fibronectin attachment.
- FbpA is a significant, though not exclusive, factor in the fibronectin-binding capability of this probiotic strain.
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