Three allelic variants of P-pilus-associated G-adheslns (ectins) with different cell-binding properties were recently described. Here we have analyzed Eschenchia cofl HB101 strains expressing the recombinant G-adhesin variants for their ability to agglutinate erythrocytes from various species as this relates to the glycosphingolipid (GSL)
MATERIALS AND METHODSBacteria, Growth Conditions, and Labeling. E. coli strain HB101 was used to express the P pilus-associated G-adhesins PapGJ96, PrsGJ96, and PapGAD1LO carried by the recombinant plasmids pPAP5, pPAP601, and pPIL110-35, respectively (10). Plasmid pPAP5 consists of the vector pBR322 and a 9.7-kilobase (kb) EcoRI/BamHI chromosomal fragment derived from E. coli J96 and encodes F13 P pili with the PapGJ96 adhesin (10). Plasmid pPAP601 is a pACYC184 derivative carrying another E. coli J96 chromosomal fragment encoding serologically identical F13 pili but having the PrsGJ% adhesin (10). Plasmid pPIL110-35 is a pACYC184 derivative containing a 16-kb EcoRI fragment of E. coli AD110 and encoding F72 P pili with the PapGAD110 adhesin (10).For the glycolipid binding assay, the bacteria were cultivated overnight at 37TC on Luria agar plates (10) supplemented with carbenicillin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline (100, 20, and 10 jig/ml, respectively). Metabolically labeled bacteria were obtained by addition of [35S]methionine (600 Ci/mmol; 150-200 ,uCi per plate; 1 Ci = 37 GBq; Amersham). After growth, the bacteria were harvested by centrifugation, washed twice in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.3), and resuspended in PBS.Hemagglutination Assay. For hemagglutination, 10 of fresh bacteria (109 cells per ml) and 10 of erythrocyte suspension (4%), both suspended in PBS at pH 7.3, were mixed on a glass slide. During gentle mixing for 5 min at room temperature, agglutination was visualized and scored (see Table 1).Erythrocyte Glycolipids. For the preparation of total acidic and neutral GSLs (10), fresh erythrocytes were washed twice in saline and 100 ml of erythrocyte concentrate was shaken continuously together with toluene and water (65 ml and 30 ml, respectively). After centrifugation (10,000 x g for 5 min), the purified membranes (10 g) at the toluene/water interface were extracted twice with methanol (100 ml), once with chloroform/methanol (2:1) (100 ml), and once with methanol (100 ml) for 25 min at 70TC.
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