NMR illuminates the ligand and surface adsorption of autolysin-amidase from Staphylococcus epidermidis

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms on medical devices and implants pose a serious health challenge, and the interaction of bacterial surface proteins to both biotic and abiotic surfaces is an important first step towards bacterial colonization and biofilm development. The autolysin (AtlE) surface protein of S. epidermidis functions in cell wall homeostasis, cell separation and promote biofilm. The amidase catalytic domain (AmiE) of AtlE is a 26 kDa zinc-dependent peptidoglycan peptidase and is thought to play a role in bacterial surface attachment.