Lactobacillus Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lactobacillus, including details on probiotics, digestion, diet, health, lactobacillus acidophilus.

Heterogeneity of putative surface layer proteins in Lactobacillus helveticus.

Gatti M, Rossetti L, Fornasari ME, Lazzi C, Giraffa G, Neviani E

Department of Genetic Anthropology Evolution, Parco Area delle Scienze 11A, University of Parma, 43100 Parma, Italy. monica.gatti@unipr.it

The S-layer-encoding genes of 21 Lactobacillus helveticus strains were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis based on the identified S-layer genes revealed two main clusters, one which includes a sequence similar to that of the slpH1 gene of L. helveticus CNRZ 892 and a second cluster which includes genes similar to that of prtY. These results were further confirmed by Southern blot hybridization. This study demonstrates S-layer gene variability in the species L. helveticus.

Published 4 November 2005 in Appl Environ Microbiol, 71(11): 7582-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Lactobacillus Research Today. All Rights Reserved.