Crystalline Bacterial Cell Surface Layers Research Articles

Chemical modification of crystalline ultrafiltration membranes and immobilization of macromolecules

Crystalline bacterial cell surface layers (S-layers) from Bacillus stearothermophilus were used for the production of ultrafiltration membranes. The active filtration layer consists of S-layer fragments which are composed of identical protein subunits. S-layer ultrafiltration membranes were found to possess a net negative surface charge due to the presence of free carboxyl groups exposed on the protein domains and in the pore areas. For chemical modification, carboxyl groups were activated with carbodiimide, and could then react with the amino groups of low molecular weight molecules of different size and structure. Modified S-layer ultrafiltration membranes generally showed a very low protein adsorption. Depending on the molecular size and structure of the covalently attached molecules myoglobin (MW 17,000) and/or carbonic anhydrase (MW 30,000), rejection was increased in comparison with non-modified membranes. Carbodiimide-activated carboxyl groups were also used for immobilizing macromolecules such as invertase (MW 270,000) or glucose oxidase (MW 150,000). Both proteins were bound with a very dense packing order, generating an enzyme monolayer on the crystalline S-layer matrix.

U. B. Sleytr, P. Messner, D. Pum and M. Sára (Editors), Crystalline Bacterial Cell Surface Layers. XII + 193 S., 96 Abb., 10 Tab., Berlin—Heidelberg—New York—London—Paris—Tokyo 1988. Springer‐Verlag. DM 89,00. ISBN: 3–540–19082

Journal of Basic MicrobiologyVolume 30, Issue 5 p. 383-383 Book Reviews U. B. Sleytr, P. Messner, D. Pum and M. Sára (Editors), Crystalline Bacterial Cell Surface Layers. XII + 193 S., 96 Abb., 10 Tab., Berlin—Heidelberg—New York—London—Paris—Tokyo 1988. Springer-Verlag. DM 89,00. ISBN: 3–540–19082 J. Gumpert, J. Gumpert JenaSearch for more papers by this author J. Gumpert, J. Gumpert JenaSearch for more papers by this author First published: 1990 https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.3620300524AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume30, Issue51990Pages 383-383 RelatedInformation

Use of two-dimensional protein crystals from bacteria for nonbiological applications

This paper gives an overview on the structure, chemistry, self-assembly, and technical application potentials of crystalline bacterial cell surface layers (S layers). These structures represent ideal model systems for studying self-assembly processess on the nanometer level. Since S layers reveal no pore size distribution they can be used for the production of a completely new type of ultrafiltration membrane. Chemical modification allows specific adaption of the S-layer surface either for ultrafiltration purposes or for coating with monolayers of biologically active molecules (e.g., enzymes). As supports for covalent attachment of macromolecules, S-layer membranes might be usable for specific and rapid determination of substances by enzymatic or immunogenic methods. S-layer structures can also be used as supports for Langmuir–Blodgett films. Finally it can be expected that as the architecture and function of more complex biological systems, particularly membranes, become better known, novel concepts will influence the design and fabrication of molecular machines and electronic devices.

Application potentials of two dimensional protein crystals

In this paper we wili give an overview on our studies on the structure, chemistry, self-assembly and technical application of crystalline bacterial cell surface layers (S-layers). These supramolecular structure represent ideal model systems for learning how nature accomplishes producing and maintaining nanometer structures. Our studies have clearly shown that these protein crystals are of great interest as templates or patterning elements for nanometer fabrication.