EFFECT OF PARACRYSTALLINE PROTEIN SURFACE-LAYERS ON PREDATION BY BDELLOVIBRIO-BACTERIOVORUS

We determined that paracrystalline protein surface arrays (S layers) protected gram-negative eubacteria from predation by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus. Aquaspirillum serpens VHA and MW5 and Aquaspirillum sinuosum were resistant to predation by B. bacteriovorus 6-5-S when fully covered by their S layers. The S layer of Aeromonas salmonicida A449 protected the cells from predation by B. bacteriovorus 109J. A predacious, plaque-forming vibrio that lysed an S-layer - variant of Caulobacter crescentus but was not predacious on the parental strain which possessed an S layer was isolated from raw sewage. Since S layers are stable components of many bacterial surfaces in nature, they can provide this protective function in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats where Bdellovibrio spp. are found.