Structure and assembly of bacterial surface layers composed of regular arrays of subunits

Abstract

Regular arrays of subunits are observed on the surfaces of many bacteria, and the structure and function of such an array are being examined in a study of the Gram-negative bacterium Acinetobacter strain MJT/F5/199A. The subunits are on the surface of the outer membrane and are visible in electron micrographs of freeze-etched intact cells and of negatively stained preparations of isolated cell walls and outer membranes. The surface subunits can be detached from the membrane by various treatments and will then reassemble spontaneously to form the same regular pattern as that seen on the intact bacterium. The results of studies of the properties of the self-assembly system are described and its relevance to the formation of surface layers composed of regular arrays of subunits in intact bacteria discussed.