Charge distribution on the S layer of Bacillus stearothermophilus NRS 1536/3c and importance of charged groups for morphogenesis and function.

The distribution and functional significance of charged groups on the outer and inner faces of the S layer from Bacillus stearothermophilus NRS 1536/3c was investigated. Chemical modification of the exposed amino or carboxyl groups was performed on whole cells, isolated S layers self-assembled in vitro, and cell wall fragments (S layer attached to the peptidoglycan-containing sacculus). Without chemical modification, S layer self-assembly products could be labeled with polycationic ferritin, while S layers on whole cells could not. Following treatment with glutaraldehyde, whole cells were uniformly labeled with polycationic ferritin. Whole cells treated with glutaraldehyde and glycine methyl ester in the presence of carbodiimide did not bind polycationic ferritin significantly above background. Treatment of cell wall fragments with amino-specific, homobifunctional cross-linkers or with carbodiimide alone rendered the S layer protein nonextractable with sodium dodecyl sulfate. After amidation of the accessible carboxyl groups, the modified, guanidine hydrochloride-extractable S layer protomers did not self-assemble into regularly structured lattices. N-Amidination with ethylacetimidate did not interfere with the self-assembly of the isolated protomers. N-Acetylation resulted in a considerable destabilization of the S layer lattice, as seen by the release of a large amount of modified protomers during the reaction. N-Succinylation led to a complete disintegration of the protein lattice. These results indicated that only the inner face of the S layer carried a net negative charge. On both faces, free amino and carboxyl groups of adjacent protomers were arranged in proximity so as to contribute by electrostatic interactions to the cohesion of the protomers in the two-dimensional array. The native charge of the protomers was required for both the in vitro self-assembly of the isolated subunits and the maintenance of the structural integrity of the S layer lattice. Among other functions, the biological significance of the S layers may be in masking the electronegative charge of the cell wall proper.