Exported proteins in probiotic bacteria: adhesion to intestinal surfaces, host immunomodulation and molecular cross-talking with the host

• Published in: FEMS immunology and medical microbiology Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 1 - 17
• Main Authors: Sánchez, Borja, Bressollier, Philippe, Urdaci, María C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-10-2008; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell; Wiley-Blackwell: No OnlineOpen
• Subjects: adhesion; Bacteria - immunology; Bacteria - metabolism; Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Proteins - immunology; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Bacterial Proteins - secretion; Bacteriology; Bifidobacterium - immunology; Bifidobacterium - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical Sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; host interaction; Humans; immunomodulation; Intestines - cytology; Intestines - immunology; Intestines - metabolism; Intestines - microbiology; Lactobacillus - immunology; Lactobacillus - metabolism; Microbiology; Miscellaneous; Organic chemistry; outer membrane proteins; Probiotics; secreted proteins; Signal Transduction; surface proteins; TCF Transcription Factors; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein; immunomodulation; secreted proteins; adhesion; surface proteins; probiotics; host interaction; Probiotic; Microbiology; Digestive system; Immunomodulation; Secretion; Gut; Adhesion; Protein; Immunology; Bacteria
• ISSN: 0928-8244; 1574-695X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2008.00454.x

The group of exported proteins of a bacterium are those proteins that are sorted from the cytoplasm to the bacterial surface or to the surroundings of the microorganism. In probiotic bacteria, these proteins are of special relevance because they might determine important traits such as adhesion to intestinal surfaces and molecular cross-talking with the host. Current knowledge about the presence and biological relevance of exported proteins produced by the main genera of probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal environment is reviewed in this minireview. As will be seen, some of these proteins are involved in host adhesion or are able to modify certain signalization pathways within host cells, whereas others are important for the physiology of probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.