S-layer associated proteins contribute to the adhesive and immunomodulatory properties of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM.

Background: Surface layers (S-layers) are two-dimensional crystalline arrays of repeating proteinaceous subunits that form the outermost layer of many bacterial cell envelopes. Within the Lactobacillus genus, S-layer presence is frequently associated with probiotic-relevant properties such as improved adherence to host epithelial cells and modulation of the immune response. However, recent studies have demonstrated that certain S-layer functions may be supplemented by a novel subset of proteins embedded within its lattice, termed S-layer associated proteins (SLAPs). In the following study, four Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM SLAPs (LBA0046, LBA0864, LBA1426, and LBA1539) were selected for in silico and phenotypic assessment.

Results: Despite lacking any sequence similarity or catalytic domains that may indicate function, the genes encoding the four proteins of interest were shown to be unique to S-layer-forming, host-adapted lactobacilli species. Likewise, their corresponding deletion mutants exhibited broad, host-relevant phenotypes including decreased inflammatory profiles and reduced adherence to Caco-2 intestinal cells, extracellular matrices, and mucin in vitro.

Conclusions: Overall, the data presented in this study collectively links several previously uncharacterized extracellular proteins to roles in the underlying host adaptive mechanisms of L. acidophilus.