Two new surface layer (S-layer) proteins (SlpB and SlpD) were characterized, and three slp genes (slpB, slpC, and slpD) were isolated, sequenced, and studied for their expression in Lactobacillus brevis neotype strain ATCC 14869. Under different growth conditions, L. brevis strain 14869 was found to form two colony types, smooth (S) and rough (R), and to express the S-layer proteins differently. Under aerobic conditions R-colony type cells produced SlpB and SlpD proteins, whereas under anaerobic conditions S-colony type cells synthesized essentially only SlpB. Anaerobic and aerated cultivations of ATCC 14869 cells in rich medium also resulted in S-layer protein patterns similar to those of the S-and R-colony type cells, respectively. Electron microscopy suggested the presence of only a single S-layer with an oblique structure on the cells of both colony forms. The slpB and slpC genes were located adjacent to each other, whereas the slpD gene was not closely linked to the slpB-slpC gene region. Northern analyses confirmed that both slpB and slpD formed a monocistronic transcription unit and were effectively expressed, but slpD expression was induced under aerated conditions. slpC was a silent gene under the growth conditions tested. The amino acid contents of all the L. brevis ATCC 14869 S-layer proteins were typical of S-layer proteins, whereas their sequence similarities with other S-layer proteins were negligible. The interspecies identity of the L. brevis S-layer proteins was mainly restricted to the Nterminal regions of those proteins. Furthermore, Northern analyses, expression of a PepI reporter protein under the control of the slpD promoter, and quantitative real-time PCR analysis of slpD expression under aerated and anaerobic conditions suggested that, in L. brevis ATCC 14869, the variation of S-layer protein content involves activation of transcription by a soluble factor rather than DNA rearrangements that are typical for most of the S-layer phase variation mechanisms known.Surface layers (S layers) are monomolecular crystalline arrays of proteinaceous subunits present in almost all archaea and all major phylogenetic groups of bacteria (26,33). Most of the S layers are composed of subunits of a single protein or glycoprotein species capable of forming symmetrical arrays and covering the cell surface during all stages of growth. Slayer proteins commonly contain high numbers of acidic and hydrophobic amino acids but lack overall amino acid sequence homology with corresponding proteins from unrelated species. Moreover, a low pI is typical for S-layer proteins (31) except for those from different lactobacilli (5, 40) and Methanothermus fervidus (6). Diverse functions have been proposed for S layers, such as acting as molecular sieves, protective coats, molecular and ion traps, cell shape determinants, and promoters for cell adhesion and surface recognition (26). There is also increasing evidence that S-layer-carrying bacteria may use Slayer variation, by expressing alternative S-layer protein genes, for ada...

Previous research has suggested that the adhesin encoded by the F18 fimbrial operon in Escherichia coli is either the FedE or FedF protein. In this work, we show that anti-FedF antibodies, unlike anti-FedE serum, were able to inhibit E. coli adhesion to porcine enterocytes. Moreover, specific adhesion to enterocytes was shown with purified FedF-maltose binding protein.The operons of many fimbrial adhesins of Escherichia coli are well characterized (4). They contain genes coding for the major subunit protein, molecular chaperone and usher proteins, minor subunits, adhesin, and proteins of unknown function (4,11,12). The genes involved in the biosynthesis of F18 fimbria have been only partially described (5, 6). The major protein of the F18 fimbria, FedA, is not sufficient for recognizing the F18 receptor (5). Two additional genes from the fed gene cluster, fedE and fedF, have been described as essential for fimbrial adhesion and fimbrial length (6). However, so far it has not been possible to assess F18 adhesion function with regard to either of the two gene products.In this study, we sequenced the unknown region of the E. coli fed gene cluster and produced and purified FedF and FedE as fusion proteins with maltose binding protein (MBP) for raising antisera for adhesion studies. Furthermore, using indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and adhesion inhibition tests, we have characterized the FedF proteins as the adhesin of F18 fimbriae.Sequencing of the plasmid pIH120. The entire gene cluster encoding E. coli F18 fimbria was sequenced from the plasmid pIH120 (6) with an ABI 310 sequencer according to the manual of the manufacturer (PE Applied Biosystems). pIH120 was transferred into an E. coli HB101 host, resulting in strain ERF2055. Sequence analyses revealed that the fed gene cluster is composed of five genes. The gene coding for the major protein of F18 fimbria (fedA) and the genes encoding two minor proteins (fedE and fedF) were described earlier (5, 6). Two additional open reading frames were found between fedA and fedE and were designated fedB and fedC. FedB showed the highest similarity (83% identity) to the AfrB protein (AAC28316) from E. coli RDEC-1 (Fig. 1) and significant homology to other usher proteins involved in the biosynthesis of microbial pili (3). The second open reading frame (fedC) overlapped the 3Ј end of fedB, and its product had high identity (82%) with the periplasmic chaperone AfrC (AAC228317) from E. coli RDEC-1. Both FedB and FedC possess a predicted signal peptide for transmembrane secretion with a putative cleavage site for a signal peptidase between amino acids 23 and 24. The calculated molecular masses of the mature FedB and FedC are 86,001 and 23,418 Da, respectively. The fedF gene was also PCR cloned and sequenced from a Finnish E. coli O141 isolate (data not shown) and found to have 99.6% identity with the fedF derived from pIH120. In addition to the previously reported transcription terminator, located downstream of fedA (5), an inverted repeat (⌬G of Ϫ17.3 kcal mol Ϫ1 ) for th...

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In Finland, rabies in bats was suspected for the first time in 1985 when a bat researcher, who had multiple bat bites, died in Helsinki. The virus isolated from the researcher proved to be antigenically related to rabies viruses previously detected in German bats. Later, the virus was typed as EBLV-2b. Despite an epidemiological study in bats 1986 and subsequent rabies surveillance, rabies in bats was not detected in Finland until the first case in a Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii) was confirmed in August 2009. The bat was paralysed, occasionally crying, and biting when approached; it subsequently tested positive for rabies. The virus was genetically typed as EBLV-2. This is the northernmost case of bat rabies ever detected in Europe. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the EBLV-2b isolate from the human case in 1985 and the isolate from the bat in 2009 were genetically closely related, demonstrating that EBLV-2 may have been circulating in Finland for many years.

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BackgroundIn 1985, a bat researcher in Finland died of rabies encephalitis caused by European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2), but an epidemiological study in 1986 did not reveal EBLV-infected bats. In 2009, an EBLV-2-positive Daubenton’s bat was detected. The EBLV-2 isolate from the human case in 1985 and the isolate from the bat in 2009 were genetically closely related. In order to assess the prevalence of EBLVs in Finnish bat populations and to gain a better understanding of the public health risk that EBLV-infected bats pose, a targeted active surveillance project was initiated.ResultsAltogether, 1156 bats of seven species were examined for lyssaviruses in Finland during a 28–year period (1985–2012), 898 in active surveillance and 258 in passive surveillance, with only one positive finding of EBLV-2 in a Daubenton’s bat in 2009. In 2010–2011, saliva samples from 774 bats of seven species were analyzed for EBLV viral RNA, and sera from 423 bats were analyzed for the presence of bat lyssavirus antibodies. Antibodies were detected in Daubenton’s bats in samples collected from two locations in 2010 and from one location in 2011. All seropositive locations are in close proximity to the place where the EBLV-2 positive Daubenton’s bat was found in 2009. In active surveillance, no EBLV viral RNA was detected.ConclusionsThese data suggest that EBLV-2 may circulate in Finland, even though the seroprevalence is low. Our results indicate that passive surveillance of dead or sick bats is a relevant means examine the occurrence of lyssavirus infection, but the number of bats submitted for laboratory analysis should be higher in order to obtain reliable information on the lyssavirus situation in the country.

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