Abstract
Although S-layers are being increasingly identified on Bacteria and Archaea, it is enigmatic that in most cases S-layer function continues to elude us. In a few instances, S-layers have been shown to be virulence factors on pathogens (e.g. Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus and Aeromonas salmonicida), protective against Bdellovibrio, a depository for surface-exposed enzymes (e.g. Bacillus stearothermophilus), shape-determining agents (e.g. Thermoproteus tenax) and nucleation factors for fine-grain mineral development (e.g. Synechococcus GL 24). Yet, for the vast majority of S-layered bacteria, the natural function of these crystalline arrays continues to be evasive. The following review up-dates the functional basis of S-layers and describes such diverse topics as the effect of S-layers on the Gram stain, bacteriophage adsorption in lactobacilli, phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the adhesion of a high-molecular-mass amylase, outer membrane porosity, and the secretion of extracellular enzymes of Thermoanaerobacterium. In addition, the functional aspect of calcium on the Caulobacter S-layer is explained.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Abortion, Veterinary / immunology
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Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Archaea / physiology
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Archaea / ultrastructure
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Bacteria / classification
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Bacteria / genetics
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Bacteria / ultrastructure
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Bacterial Adhesion
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
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Campylobacter Infections / immunology
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Campylobacter Infections / microbiology
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Campylobacter Infections / veterinary
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Cell Membrane / chemistry
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Cell Membrane / physiology*
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Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
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Cell Wall / chemistry
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Cell Wall / physiology
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Cell Wall / ultrastructure
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Crystallization
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Eukaryota / physiology
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Female
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Humans
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phagocytosis
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Pregnancy
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Sheep
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Sheep Diseases / immunology
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Sheep Diseases / microbiology
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Species Specificity
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Virulence
Substances
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Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
Associated data
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GENBANK/D28467
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GENBANK/D85526
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GENBANK/D86346
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GENBANK/D90050
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GENBANK/L20421
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GENBANK/M16657
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GENBANK/M19115
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GENBANK/M27420
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GENBANK/M28361
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GENBANK/M31069
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GENBANK/M57692
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GENBANK/M67438
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GENBANK/M97882
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GENBANK/U27183
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GENBANK/U38842
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GENBANK/U49980
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GENBANK/U50951
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GENBANK/U50952
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GENBANK/X15988
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GENBANK/X57333
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GENBANK/X67506
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GENBANK/X68276
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GENBANK/X89732
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GENBANK/X98095
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GENBANK/Z36946
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GENBANK/Z77855