Thirty-two lactobacilli were tested for ability to adhere to a human fetal intestinal epithelial cell line. By an in vitro system, two adherence mechanisms were found. One mechanism, requiring calcium in the adherence reaction, was nonspecific and allowed all lactobacilli tested to adhere. The other system, not requiring calcium, was found in four strains, all human Lactobacillus acidophilus isolates. Colonial morphology, serial broth passage, and exposure of cell crops to freezing or lyophilization did not affect adherence of Lactobacillus acidophilus. In vitro adherence, combined with subsequent in vivo studies, may provide a basis for screening candidate organisms for use in microbiotic supplements.

A 10,000-dalton calcium-binding protein (10-kd CaBP) has been described in the placentae and yolk sacs of rats and mice. This protein is similar or identical to vitamin D-dependent intestinal CaBP and these proteins have been implicated in the molecular mechanisms of intestinal calcium absorption and transplacental calcium transport. Using an antiserum to the purified 10-kd rat intestinal CaBP, the localization of CaBP in the 16-17-day mouse yolk sac and placenta was studied immunocytochemically with peroxidase-antiperoxidase labelling and quantified by radial immunodiffusion. A high concentration of immunolabelling was observed in the endodermal cells of the intraplacental yolk sac lining the sinuses of Duval. The columnar endodermal cells lining one side of the endodermal sinuses adjacent to fetal vessels contained most of the immunoreactive label. Quantitation by radial immunodiffusion demonstrated a 5.5-fold higher concentration of CaBP in the portion of the placenta containing most of the intraplacental yolk sac than in the maternal half of the placenta. This demonstration of a 10-kd CaBP within the intraplacental yolk sac suggests this protein functions to facilitate placental calcium transport and is the first study which directly supports the hypothesis of a functional role for the sinuses of Duval in calcium transport.

Lactobacillus acidophilus ADH is a bacteriocin-producing human isolate that adheres to human fetal intestinal cells and human ileal cells. We have employed both electroporation and conjugation methodologies to transfer various plasmids to L. acidophilus ADH. Furthermore, we have demonstrated transduction of plasmid DNA within this strain by a temperate bacteriophage (phi adh) harbored by L. acidophilus ADH. Plasmid pGK12 was introduced into strain ADH by electroporation at frequencies as high as 3.3 X 10(5) transformants/micrograms of plasmid DNA. Transconjugants of strain ADH were recovered at frequencies of 10(-2) (pAMB1), 10(-4) (pVA797::Tn917), and 10(-4) (pVA797) per donor cell after filter-mating with Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis. Plasmid pGK12 was transduced from a phage phi adh lysogen into a recipient strain of L. acidophilus ADH at an average frequency of 3.4 X 10(-8) transductants/pfu. Transformants, transconjugants, or transductants were verified by both phenotype and plasmid profile for acquisition of plasmid DNA. The ability to transfer plasmids and mobilize DNA sequences by electroporation, conjugation, and transduction will augment our efforts to define and characterize the activities of L. acidophilus in the intestinal tract.

Lactobacillus acidophilus ADH is lysogenic and harbors an inducible prophage, +adh. Bacteriophage were detected in cell lysates induced by treatment with mitomycin C or UV light. Electron microscopy of lysates revealed phage particles with a hexagonal head (62 nm) and a long, noncontractile, flexible tail (398 nm) ending in at last five short fibers. Phage 4adh was classified within Bradley's B1 phage group and the Siphoviridae family. The 4adh genome is a linear double-stranded DNA molecule of 41.7 kilobase pairs with cohesive ends: a physical map of the 4adh genome was constructed. A prophage-cured derivative of strain ADH, designated NCK102, was isolated from cells that survived UV exposure. NCK102 did not exhibit mitomycin C-induced lysis, but broth cultures lysed upon addition of phage. Phage 4adh produced clear plaques on NCK102 in media containing 10 mM CaC12 at pH values between 5.2 and 5.5. A relysogenized derivative (NCK103) of NCK102 was isolated that exhibited mitomycin C-induced lysis and superinfection immunity to phage 4adh. Hybridization experiments showed that the 4adh genome was present in the ADH and NCK103 chromosomes, but absent in NCK102. These results demonstrated classic lytic and lysogenic cycles of replication for the temperate phage 4adh induced from L. acidophilus ADH. Phage 4adh also mediates transduction of plasmid DNA. Transductants of strain ADH containing pC194, pGK12, pGB354, and pVA797 were detected at * Corresponding author.

Rough (R) and smooth (S) colonial variants were isolated from a heterogeneous culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus RL8K. R and S types were stable upon repeated transfer on agar, but revertant colonies did appear after broth transfers.