7a02

Publication Abstract from PubMed

Bacillus cereus sensu lato is a group of Gram-positive endospore-forming bacteria with high ecological diversity. Their endospores are decorated with micrometer-long appendages of unknown identity and function. Here, we isolate endospore appendages (Enas) from the food poisoning outbreak strain B. cereus NVH 0075-95 and find proteinaceous fibers of two main morphologies: S- and L-Ena. By using cryoEM and 3D helical reconstruction of S-Enas, we show these to represent a novel class of Gram-positive pili. S-Enas consist of single domain subunits with jellyroll topology that are laterally stacked by beta-sheet augmentation. S-Enas are longitudinally stabilized by disulfide bonding through N-terminal connector peptides that bridge the helical turns. Together, this results in flexible pili that are highly resistant to heat, drought, and chemical damage. Phylogenomic analysis reveals a ubiquitous presence of the ena-gene cluster in the B. cereus group, which include species of clinical, environmental, and food importance. We propose Enas to represent a new class of pili specifically adapted to the harsh conditions encountered by bacterial spores.

Endospore Appendages: a novel pilus superfamily from the endospores of pathogenic Bacilli.,Pradhan B, Liedtke J, Sleutel M, Lindback T, Zegeye ED, O Sullivan K, Llarena AK, Brynildsrud O, Aspholm M, Remaut H EMBO J. 2021 May 25:e106887. doi: 10.15252/embj.2020106887. PMID:34031903^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.