Slr4, a newly identified S‐layer protein from marine Gammaproteobacteria, is a major biofilm matrix component

What is it about?

The S-layer forms the outermost surface layer of bacterial and archaeal cells. The proteins responsible for S-layer assembly, however, are unknown in many important lineages. Here, using bioinformatics, proteomics, and electron microscopy, we have discovered the S-layer protein in the organism, Pseudoalteromonas tunicata. This S-layer protein, which we have termed Slr4, forms square grid lattices around cells, and is also abundant in the biofilm matrix where it may play a protective role. The Slr4 protein family is widespread in marine gammaproteobacteria.

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