Genetic characterization of the S-layer glycan biosynthesis in Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus L420-91. (NB/JF 7923)

Many prokaryotic cells possess as their outermost cell envelope component crystalline surface layers (S-layers) which form crystalline arrays consisting of (glyco)proteins. The goal of this project is to characterize the biosynthesis of the glycan chains from the S-layer glycoprotein of Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus L420-91 (DSM 10154T). The comparison of the glycan structures of this organism with other bacterial cell surface glycoconjugates shows the similarity to O-antigens of lipopolysaccharides from Gram-negative bacteria. The gene cluster which is responsible for the glycan formation shall be investigated in detail. Additionally, the S-layer gene of this strain shall be cloned and sequenced. The data will then allow to determine the position of the S-layer glycan cluster in relation to the S-layer gene. From these data we expect relevant informations to produce 'tailored' S-layer glycoproteins for different biotechnological applications in the future.