CHARACTERIZATION AND BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATION OF EUBACTERIAL GLYCOPROTEINS

Abstract

This contribution summarizes the structural and chemical characterization of crystalline bacterial cell surface layers (S-layers) and gives an overview on its biotechnological application potential. These supramolecular structures represent ideal model systems for learning how nature has accomplished production and maintainance of structures at the nanometer level. Crystalline S-layers consist of regularly arranged protein or glycoprotein molecules and exhibit pores of identical shape and size in the two-dimensional lattice. This makes them particularly useful for the production of a completely new type of ultrafiltration membrane. Chemical modification allows for specific adaptations of the S-layer, either for ultrafiltration purposes or for coating with monolayers of specific molecules such as enzymes, antigens or haptens. These studies have clearly shown that the protein or glycoprotein molecules are of great interest as patterning elements for nanometer technologies and in the development of biosensors. S-layers can also be used as supports for Langmuir-Blodgett films or as carriers for immunomodulating agents in the development of a new generation of vaccines.