Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/9811
Title: Identification of a Gene Cluster for the Biosynthesis of a Long, Galactose-Rich Exopolysaccharide in Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Functional Analysis of the Priming Glycosyltransferase
Authors: Lebeer, Sarah
Verhoeven, Tine L. A.
Francius, Gregory
Schoofs, Geert
LAMBRICHTS, Ivo 
Dufrene, Yves
Vanderleyden, Jos
De Keersmaecker, Sigrid C. J.
Issue Date: 2009
Publisher: AMER SOC MICROBIOLOGY
Source: APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, 75(11). p. 3554-3563
Abstract: Cell surface polysaccharides have an established role as virulence factors in human bacterial pathogens. Less documented are the biosynthesis and biological functions of surface polysaccharides in beneficial bacteria. We identified a gene cluster that encodes the enzymes and regulatory and transporter proteins for the different steps in the biosynthesis of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) of the well-documented probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Subsequent mutation of the welE gene, encoding the priming glycosyltransferase within this cluster, and comparative phenotypic analyses of wild-type versus mutant strains confirmed the specific function of this gene cluster in the biosynthesis of high-molecular-weight, galactose-rich heteropolymeric EPS molecules. The phenotypic analyses included monomer composition determination, estimation of the polymer length of the isolated EPS molecules, and single-molecule force spectroscopy of the surface polysaccharides. Further characterization of the welE mutant also showed that deprivation of these long, galactose-rich EPS molecules results in an increased adherence and biofilm formation capacity of L. rhamnosus GG, possibly because of less shielding of adhesins such as fimbria-like structures.
Notes: [Lebeer, Sarah; Verhoeven, Tine L. A.; Schoofs, Geert; Vanderleyden, Jos; De Keersmaecker, Sigrid C. J.] Katholieke Univ Leuven, Ctr Microbial & Plant Genet, B-3001 Louvain, Belgium. [Francius, Gregory; Dufrene, Yves] Univ Catholique Louvain, Unite Chim Interfaces, B-1348 Louvain, Belgium. [Lambrichts, Ivo] Univ Hasselt, Histol Lab, Biomed Res Inst, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Document URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1942/9811
ISSN: 0099-2240
e-ISSN: 1098-5336
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02919-08
ISI #: 000266345800021
Category: A1
Type: Journal Contribution
Validations: ecoom 2010
Appears in Collections:Research publications

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