Making novel bio-interfaces through bacterial protein recrystallization on biocompatible polylactide derivative films.

Fabrication of novel bio-supramolecular structures was achieved by recrystallizing the bacterial surface protein SbpA on amorphous and semicrystalline polylactide derivatives. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the glass transition temperature (T(g)) for (poly-L-lactide)-PLLA, poly(L,D-lactide)-PDLLA, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-PLGA and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone)-PLCL was 63 °C, 53 °C, 49 °C and 15 °C, respectively. Tensile stress-strain tests indicated that PLLA, PLGA, and PDLLA had a glassy behaviour when tested below T(g). The obtained Young modulus were 1477 MPa, 1330 MPa, 1306 MPa, and 9.55 MPa for PLLA, PLGA, PDLLA, and PLCL, respectively. Atomic force microscopy results confirmed that SbpA recrystallized on every polymer substrate exhibiting the native S-layer P4 lattice (a = b = 13 nm, γ = 90°). However, the polymer substrate influenced the domain size of the S-protein crystal, with the smallest size for PLLA (0.011 µm(2)), followed by PDLLA (0.034 µm(2)), and PLGA (0.039 µm(2)), and the largest size for PLCL (0.09 µm(2)). quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) measurements indicated that the adsorbed protein mass per unit area (~1800 ng cm(-2)) was independent of the mechanical, thermal, and crystalline properties of the polymer support. The slowest protein adsorption rate was observed for amorphous PLCL (the polymer with the weakest mechanical properties and lowest T(g)). QCM-D also monitored protein self-assembly in solution and confirmed that S-layer formation takes place in three main steps: adsorption, self-assembly, and crystal reorganization. Finally, this work shows that biodegradable polylactide derivatives films are a suitable support to form robust biomimetic S-protein layers.

Construction of silica-enhanced S-layer protein cages.

The work presented here shows for the first time that it is possible to silicify S-layer coated liposomes and to obtain stable functionalized hollow nano-containers. For this purpose, the S-layer protein of Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2 was recombinantly expressed and used for coating positively charged liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and hexadecylamine in a molar ratio of 10:5:4. Subsequently, plain (uncoated) liposomes and S-layer coated liposomes were silicified. Determination of the charge of the constructs during silicification allowed the deposition process to be followed. After the particles had been silicified, lipids were dissolved by treatment with Triton X-100 with the release of previously entrapped fluorescent dyes being determined by fluorimetry. Both, ζ-potential and release experiments showed differences between silicified plain liposomes and silicified S-layer coated liposomes. The results of the individual preparation steps were examined by embedding the respective assemblies in resin, ultrathin sectioning and inspection by bright-field transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Energy filtered TEM confirmed the successful construction of S-layer based silica cages. It is anticipated that this approach will provide a key to enabling technology for the fabrication of nanoporous protein cages for applications ranging from nano medicine to materials science.

Bilayer lipid membrane formation on a chemically modified S-layer lattice.

The present paper describes the generation of a biomimetic model lipid membrane on bacterial surface (S-)layer which covered the entire surface of various sensors. The S-layer lattice allows one to be independent from the underlying solid material and provides a biological surface and anchoring structure for lipid membranes. S-layer proteins were chemically modified via binding of two amine-terminated phospholipids. Subsequently, a bimolecular lipid membrane anchored to the previously generated viscoelastic lipid monolayer was generated by the rapid solvent exchange technique. Characterization of the intermediate (monolayer) and final membrane structures (bilayer) was performed by imaging, surface-sensitive, and electrochemical techniques. This bilayer lipid membrane generated on an S-layer lattice revealed a thickness of ∼6 nm and constitutes a stable supported model membrane system with highly isolating properties showing a membrane resistance of 8.5 MΩ × cm(2).

Structure prediction of an S-layer protein by the mean force method.

S-layer proteins have a wide range of application potential due to their characteristic features concerning self-assembling, assembling on various surfaces, and forming of isoporous structures with functional groups located on the surface in an identical position and orientation. Although considerable knowledge has been experimentally accumulated on the structure, biochemistry, assemble characteristics, and genetics of S-layer proteins, no structural model at atomic resolution has been available so far. Therefore, neither the overall folding of the S-layer proteins-their tertiary structure-nor the exact amino acid or domain allocations in the lattices are known. In this paper, we describe the tertiary structure prediction for the S-layer protein SbsB from Geobacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2. This calculation was based on its amino acid sequence using the mean force method (MF method) achieved by performing molecular dynamic simulations. This method includes mainly the thermodynamic aspects of protein folding as well as steric constraints of the amino acids and is therefore independent of experimental structure analysis problems resulting from biochemical properties of the S-layer proteins. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed in vacuum using the simulation software NAMD. The obtained tertiary structure of SbsB was systematically analyzed by using the mean force method, whereas the verification of the structure is based on calculating the global free energy minimum of the whole system. This corresponds to the potential of mean force, which is the thermodynamically most favorable conformation of the protein. Finally, an S-layer lattice was modeled graphically using CINEMA4D and compared with scanning force microscopy data down to a resolution of 1 nm. The results show that this approach leads to a thermodynamically favorable atomic model of the tertiary structure of the protein, which could be verified by both the MF Method and the lattice model.

Solid supported lipid membranes: new concepts for the biomimetic functionalization of solid surfaces.

Surface-layer (S-layer) supported lipid membranes on solid substrates are interfacial architectures mimicking the supramolecular principle of cell envelopes which have been optimized for billions of years of evolution in most extreme habitats. The authors implement this biological construction principle in a variety of layered supramolecular architectures consisting of a stabilizing protein monolayer and a functional phospholipid bilayer for the design and development of new types of solid-supported biomimetic membranes with a considerably extended stability and lifetime-compared to existing platforms-as required for novel types of bioanalytical sensors. First, Langmuir monolayers of lipids at the water/air interface are used as test beds for the characterization of different types of molecules which all interact with the lipid layers in various ways and, hence, are relevant for the control of the structure, stability, and function of supported membranes. As an example, the interaction of S-layer proteins from the bulk phase with a monolayer of a phospholipid synthetically conjugated with a secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) was studied as a function of the packing density of the lipids in the monolayer. Furthermore, SCWPs were used as a new molecular construction element. The exploitation of a specific lectin-type bond between the N-terminal part of selected S-layer proteins and a variety of glycans allowed for the buildup of supramolecular assemblies and thus functional membranes with a further increased stability. Next, S-layer proteins were self-assembled and characterized by the surface-sensitive techniques, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring. The substrates were either planar gold or silicon dioxide sensor surfaces. The assembly of S-layer proteins from solution to solid substrates could nicely be followed in-situ and in real time. As a next step toward S-layer supported bilayer membranes, the authors characterized various architectures based on lipid molecules that were modified by a flexible spacer separating the amphiphiles from the anchor group that allows for a covalent coupling of the lipid to a solid support, e.g., using thiols for Au substrates. Impedance spectroscopy confirmed the excellent charge barrier properties of these constructs with a high electrical resistance. Structural details of various types of these tethered bimolecular lipid membranes were studied by using neutron reflectometry. Finally, first attempts are reported to develop a code based on a SPICE network analysis program which is suitable for the quantitative analysis of the transient and steady-state currents passing through these membranes upon the application of a potential gradient.

Bacterial protein patterning by micro-contact printing of PLL-g-PEG.

Biomimetic micro-patterned surfaces of three S-layer (fusion) proteins, wild type (SbpA), enhanced green fluorescence protein (SbpA-EGFP) and streptavidin (SbpA-STV), were built by microcontact printing of poly-L-lysine grafted polyethylene glycol (PLL-g-PEG). The functionality of the adsorbed proteins was studied with atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements showed that wild-type SbpA recrystallized on PLL-g-PEG free areas, while fluorescent properties of SbpA-EGFP and the interaction of SbpA-streptavidin heterotetramers with biotin were not affected due to the adsorption on the micro patterned substrates.

S-layer proteins as key components of a versatile molecular construction kit for biomedical nanotechnology.

Surface (S)-layer proteins and S-layer fusion proteins incorporating functional sequences, self-assemble into monomolecular lattices on solid supports and on various lipid structures. Based on these S-layer proteins, supramolecular assemblies can be constructed which are envisaged for label-free detection systems, as affinity matrix, as anti-allergic immuno-therapeutics, as membrane protein-based screening devices, and as drug targeting and delivery systems.

Functionalisation of surfaces with S-layers.

Two-dimensional bacterial surface layer protein crystals (S-layers) are the most commonly observed cell surface structures in prokaryotic organisms (bacteria and archaea). Isolated S-layer proteins have the intrinsic tendency to self-assemble into two-dimensional arrays in suspension and at various interfaces. Basic research on the structure, genetics, chemistry, morphogenesis and function of S-layers has led to a broad spectrum of applications in molecular nanotechnology and biomimetics. The possibility to change the natural properties of S-layer proteins by genetic manipulation opens new ways for the tuning of their structural and functional features. Functionalised S-layer proteins that maintain their propensity for self-assembly have led to new affinity matrices, diagnostic tools, vaccines or biocompatible surfaces, as well as to biological templating or specific biomineralisation strategies at surfaces.

Self-assembly and recrystallization of bacterial S-layer proteins at silicon supports imaged in real time by atomic force microscopy.

The self-assembly of bacterial surface-layer (S-layer) proteins (SbpA of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177) at silicon supports (hydrophobic, non-plasma-treated and hydrophilic, O2 plasma-treated silicon supports) was imaged in real time by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A closed mosaic layer consisting of small crystals (less than 200 nm in diameter) was formed at a hydrophobic silicon support, whereas a coherent crystalline lattice consisting of large domains (2-10 micro m in size) was generated at O2 plasma-treated, hydrophilic silicon wafers. The structure of the formed layers was a monolayer (9 nm in height) at the hydrophobic silicon and a bilayer (15 nm in height) at the hydrophilic silicon. In situ AFM measurements confirmed the importance of ionic bonds in the formation of crystalline SbpA layers at silicon supports. Rupture of the protein subunits with a metal chelator from the crystalline lattice of SbpA was visualized in situ by AFM. The stability of solid-supported SbpA layers could be enhanced by cross-linking the S-layers with amino-amino or amino-carboxyl group directed cross-linkers.

Affinity interactions on a liposome surface detected by ultrasound velocimetry.

In this work, we performed targeted immobilization of immunoglobulins by means of bacterial S-layer proteins from Bacillus coagulans E38-66/V1 recrystallized on liposomes, which were exploited as immobilization matrix for antibody (Ab)-human IgG. The study of interaction of rabbit or swine anti-human IgG as antigens (Ag) was performed by means of measuring changes of ultrasound velocity. We showed that at a temperature of 25 degrees C, the increment of ultrasound velocity [u] linearly decreased following an increase of concentration of Ag. The decrease of [u] was presumably due to changes of hydration of the membrane due to the binding process. Approximately 10 times lower changes of [u] were observed at 45 degrees C for Ag-Ab interaction as well as for nonspecific interaction of Ag with liposomes covered by S-layer without Ab. No substantial differences in the behaviour of [u] were observed for interactions of human IgG with rabbit or swine anti-human IgG.

Development of affinity microparticles for extracorporeal blood purification based on crystalline bacterial cell surface proteins.

In this article, the development of specific adsorbents for extracorporeal blood purification are described. Affinity microparticles were prepared by linking Protein A to crystalline cell surface layers (S-layers) from Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus 1111-69. S-layers were used in the form of cell wall fragments obtained by breaking whole cells by ultrasonification, resulting in cup-shaped structures (average size 0.5 x 1 microm) completely covered with S-layer protein. Protein A was covalently bound to carboxylic acid groups of the S-layer protein after activation with 1-ethyl-3,3'(dimethylamino)propylcarbodiimide. In batch adsorption experiments with fresh frozen human plasma, the resulting S-layer based affinity microparticles showed a high adsorption capacity for IgG (40 mg IgG were bound per g wet pellet of S-layer based affinity microparticles). Fractions eluted from the microparticles were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. They contained only IgG demonstrating that adsorption was specific. In biocompatibility tests, preparations of the S-layer microparticles showed no low-density lipoprotein-reactivity, no cytotoxicity, and no cytokine inducing activity.

Characterization of an S-layer glycoprotein produced in the course of S-layer variation of Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 and sequencing and cloning of the sbsD gene encoding the protein moiety.

The cell surface of Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 is completely covered by an oblique lattice which consists of the S-layer protein SbsC. On SDS-polyacrylamide gels, the mature S-layer protein migrates as a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 122 kDa. During cultivation of B. stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 at 67 degrees C instead of 55 degrees C, a variant developed that had a secondary cell wall polymer identical to that of the wild-type strain, but it carried an S-layer glycoprotein that could be separated on SDS-polyacrylamide gels into four bands with apparent molecular masses of 92, 118, 150 and 175 kDa. After deglycosylation, only a single protein band with a molecular mass of 92 kDa remained. The complete nucleotide sequence encoding the protein moiety of this S-layer glycoprotein, termed SbsD, was established by PCR and inverse PCR. The sbsD gene of 2,709 bp is predicted to encode a protein of 96.2 kDa with a 30-amino-acid signal peptide. Within the 807 bp encoding the signal peptide and the N-terminal sequence (amino acids 31-269), different nucleotides for sbsD and sbsC were observed in 46 positions, but 70% of these mutations were silent, thus leading to a level of identity of 95% for the N-terminal parts. The level of identity of the remaining parts of SbsD and SbsC was below 10%, indicating that the lysine-, tyrosine- and arginine-rich N-terminal region in combination with a distinct type of secondary cell wall polymer remained conserved upon S-layer variation. The sbsD sequence encoding the mature S-layer protein cloned into the pET28a vector led to stable expression in Escherichia coli HMS174(DE3). This is the first example demonstrating that S-layer variation leads to the synthesis of an S-layer glycoprotein.

Surface-accessible residues in the monomeric and assembled forms of a bacterial surface layer protein.

The S-layer protein SbsB of the thermophilic, Gram-positive organism Bacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2 forms a crystalline, porous array constituting the outermost component of the cell envelope. SbsB has a molecular mass of 98 kDa, and the corresponding S-layer exhibits an oblique lattice symmetry. To investigate the molecular structure and assembly of SbsB, we replaced 75 residues (mainly serine, threonine, and alanine), located throughout the primary sequence, with cysteine, which is not found in the wild-type protein. As determined by electron microscopy, 72 out of 75 mutants formed regularly-structured self-assembly products identical to wild-type, thereby proving that the replacement of most of the selected amino acids by cysteine does not dramatically alter the structure of the protein. The three defective mutants, which showed a greatly reduced ability to self-assemble, were, however, successfully incorporated into S-layers of wild-type protein. Monomeric SbsB mutants and SbsB mutants assembled into S-layers were subjected to a surface accessibility screen by targeted chemical modification with a 5-kDa hydrophilic cysteine-reactive polyethylene glycol conjugate. In the monomeric form of SbsB, 34 of the examined residues were not surface accessible, while 23 were classified as very accessible, and 18 were of intermediate surface accessibility. By contrast, in the assembled S-layers, 57 of the mutated residues were not accessible, six were very accessible, and 12 of intermediate accessibility. Together with other structural information, the results suggest a model for SbsB in which functional domains are segregated along the length of the polypeptide chain.

S-layer-coated liposomes as a versatile system for entrapping and binding target molecules.

In the present study, unilamellar liposomes coated with the crystalline bacterial cell surface layer (S-layer) protein of Bacillus stearothermophilus PV72/p2 were used as matrix for defined binding of functional molecules via the avidin- or streptavidin-biotin bridge. The liposomes were composed of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and hexadecylamine in a molar ratio of 10:5:4 and they had an average size of 180 nm. For introducing specific functions into the S-layer lattice without affecting substances encapsulated within the liposomes, crosslinking and activation reagents had to be identified which did not penetrate the liposomal membrane. Among different reagents, a hydrophilic dialdehyde generated by periodate cleavage of raffinose and a sulfo-succinimide activated dicarboxylic acid were found to be impermeable for the liposomal membrane. Both reagents completely crosslinked the S-layer lattice without interfering with its regular structure. Biotinylation of S-layer-coated liposomes was achieved by coupling p-diazobenzoyl biocytin which preferably reacts with the phenolic residue of tyrosine or with the imidazole ring of histidine. By applying this method, two biotin residues accessible for subsequent avidin binding were introduced per S-layer subunit. As visualized by labeling with biotinylated ferritin, an ordered monomolecular layer of streptavidin was formed on the surface of the S-layer-coated liposomes. As a second model system, biotinylated anti-human IgG was attached via the streptavidin bridge to the biotinylated S-layer-coated liposomes. The biological activity of the bound anti-human IgG was confirmed by ELISA.

S-layer-supported lipid membranes.

Many prokaryotic organisms (archaea and bacteria) are covered by a regularly ordered surface layer (S-layer) as the outermost cell wall component. S-layers are built up of a single protein or glycoprotein species and represent the simplest biological membrane developed during evolution. Pores in S-layers are of regular size and morphology, and functional groups on the protein lattice are aligned in well-defined positions and orientations. Due to the high degree of structural regularity S-layers represent unique systems for studying the structure, morphogenesis, and function of layered supramolecular assemblies. Isolated S-layer subunits of numerous organisms are able to assemble into monomolecular arrays either in suspension, at air/water interfaces, on planar mono- and bilayer lipid films, on liposomes and on solid supports (e.g. silicon wafers). Detailed studies on composite S-layer/lipid structures have been performed with Langmuir films, freestanding bilayer lipid membranes, solid supported lipid membranes, and liposomes. Lipid molecules in planar films and liposomes interact via their head groups with defined domains on the S-layer lattice. Electrostatic interactions are the most prevalent forces. The hydrophobic chains of the lipid monolayers are almost unaffected by the attachment of the S-layer and no impact on the hydrophobic thickness of the membranes has been observed. Upon crystallization of a coherent S-layer lattice on planar and vesicular lipid membranes, an increase in molecular order is observed, which is reflected in a decrease of the membrane tension and an enhanced mobility of probe molecules within an S-layer-supported bilayer. Thus, the terminology 'semifluid membrane' has been introduced for describing S-layer-supported lipid membranes. The most important feature of composite S-layer/lipid membranes is an enhanced stability in comparison to unsupported membranes.

Investigation of structure and antigenic capacities of Thermococcales cell envelopes and reclassification of "Caldococcus litoralis" Z-1301 as Thermococcus litoralis Z-1301.

Fourteen strains of hyperthermophilic organotrophic anaerobic marine Archaea were isolated from shallow water and deep-sea hot vents, and four of them were characterized. These isolates, eight previously published strains, and six type strains of species of the order Thermococcales were selected for the study of cell wall components by means of thin sectioning or freeze-etching electron microscopy. The cell envelopes of most isolates were shown to consist of regularly arrayed surface protein layers, either single or double, with hexagonal lattice (p6) symmetry, as the exclusive constituents outside the cytoplasmic membrane. The S-layers studied differed in center-to-center spacing and molecular mass of the constituent protein subunits. Polyclonal antisera raised against the cells of 10 species were found to be species-specific and allowed 12 new isolates from shallow water hot vents to be identified as representatives of the species Thermococcus litoralis, Thermococcus stetteri, Thermococcus chitonophagus, and Thermococcus pacificus. Of the 7 deep-sea isolates, only 1 was identified as a T. litoralis strain. Thus, hyperthermophilic marine organotrophic isolates obtained from deep-sea hot vents showed greater diversity with regard to their S-layer proteins than shallow water isolates.

Structural and functional analyses of the secondary cell wall polymer of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 that serves as an S-layer-specific anchor.

Sacculi of Bacillus sphaericus CCM 2177 contain a secondary cell wall polymer which was completely extracted with 48% hydrofluoric acid. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed that the polymer is composed of repeating units, as follows: -->3)-[4, 6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)]( approximately 0. 5)-beta-D-ManpNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-->. The N-terminal part of the S-layer protein carrying S-layer homologous motifs recognizes this polymer as a binding site.

Probing the stability of S-layer-supported planar lipid membranes.

Isolated protein subunits of the crystalline bacterial cell surface layer (S-layer) of Bacillus coagulans E38-66 have been recrystallized on one side of planar black lipid membranes (BLMs) and their influence on the electrical properties, rupture kinetics and mechanical stability of the BLM was investigated. The effect on the boundary potential, the capacitance or the conductance of the membrane was negligible whereas the mechanical properties were considerably changed. The mechanical stability was characterized by applying voltage pulses or ramps to induce irreversible rupture. The amplitude of the voltage pulse leading to rupture allows conclusions on the ability of membranes to resist external forces. Surprisingly, these amplitudes were significantly lower for composite S-layer/lipid membranes compared to undecorated BLMs. In contrast, the delay time between the voltage pulse and the appearance of the initial defect was found to be drastically longer for the S-layer-supported lipid bilayer. Furthermore, the kinetics of the rupture process was recorded. Undecorated membranes show a fast linear increase of the pore conductance in time, indicating an inertia-limited defect growth. The attachment of an S-layer causes a slow exponential increase in the conductance during rupture, indicating a viscosity-determined widening of the pore. In addition, the mechanical properties on a longer time scale were investigated by applying a hydrostatic pressure across the BLMs. This causes the BLM to bulge, as monitored by an increase in capacitance. Compared to undecorated BLMs, a significantly higher pressure gradient has to be applied on the S-layer face of the composite BLMs to observe any change in capacitance.