Part:BBa_K3059618

Staphylococcus Aureus SuhB Protein (SaSuhB)

SaSuhB is a protein native to Staphylococcus aureus. While it is characterized as an inositol monophosphatase enzyme, it is also necessary for unimpaired pia-independent biofilm formation in S. aureus [1]. Moreover, further study of this protein has revealed that it is capable of forming macroscopic amyloid fibers when expressed in E. coli [2]. The fibers were characterized as being incredibly sticky, causing the researchers great trouble in trying to wash the fibers off of glass and plastic ware [2]. Additionally, SEM imagery revealed that bacteria were readily adhered to these fibers [2]. This combination of traits makes SaSuhB perfect for our application of forming strong, robust biofilms.

As can be seen in the graph and picture above, when SaSuhB is expressed in E. coli after performing a congo red assay there is a significant decrease in the A490 value of the solution, indicating that there is an amyloid protein being expressed that is absorbing the congo red dye.

References

[1] Boles, B. R., Thoendel, M., Roth, A. J., & Horswill, A. R. (2010). Identification of genes involved in polysaccharide-independent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation. PloS one, 5(4), e10146.

[2] Dutta, A., Bhattacharyya, S., Kundu, A., Dutta, D., & Das, A. K. (2016). Macroscopic amyloid fiber formation by staphylococcal biofilm associated SuhB protein. Biophysical chemistry, 217, 32-41.