Outer membrane protein composition of Hafnia alvei

The outer membrane proteins (OMP) obtained from 33 strains of Hafnia of different origin, were analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. About 21 protein bands could be distinguished in OMP of each strain. The major proteins of the outer membrane were of apparent molecular weight 34.000 (34K), 37.000 (37K), 39.000 (39K) and 41.000 (41K). On the basis of the electrophoregrams obtained, four groups of strains possessing different composition of major OMP were distinguished: (1) 34K and 37K, (2) 34K, 37K and 39K, (3) 34K, 37K and 41K, (4) 34K, 39K and 41K. The major OMP of 34K present in all strains examined was susceptible to proteolytic enzymes and was found to be heat modifiable. The remaining major OMP of 37K, 39K and 41K were identified as peptidoglycan associated proteins.