Isolation, characterization, and aggregation of a structured bacterial matrix precursor

Liraz Chai, Diego Romero, Can Kayatekin, Barak Akabayov, Hera Vlamakis, Richard Losick, Roberto Kolter*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biofilms are surface-associated groups of microbial cells that are embedded in an extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is a network of biopolymers, mainly polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. ECM proteins serve a variety of structural roles and often form amyloid-like fibers. Despite the extensive study of the formation of amyloid fibers from their constituent subunits in humans, much less is known about the assembly of bacterial functional amyloid-like precursors into fibers. Using dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, circular dichroism, and infrared spectroscopy, we show that our unique purification method of a Bacillus subtilis major matrix protein component results in stable oligomers that retain their native α-helical structure. The stability of these oligomers enabled us to control the external conditions that triggered their aggregation. In particular, we show that stretched fibers are formed on a hydrophobic surface, whereas plaque-like aggregates are formed in solution under acidic pH conditions. TasA is also shown to change conformation upon aggregation and gain some β-sheet structure. Our studies of the aggregation of a bacterial matrix protein from its subunits shed new light on assembly processes of the ECM within bacterial biofilms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17559-17568
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume288
Issue number24
DOIs
StatePublished - 14 Jun 2013
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Isolation, characterization, and aggregation of a structured bacterial matrix precursor'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this