Peptide and Hydrophobin Interactions with Polymeric Substrates Screened by a Bacterial Surface Display Method
Abstract
Polymers are ubiquitous in the modern world, and yet their applications in some cases are limited by the difficulty of promoting adhesion to them. In this work, we use the techniques of synthetic biology and microbiology to explore the longstanding issue of controlling interactions at a polymer substrate. To probe these interactions, a cloned peptide library and a separate group of fungal proteins known as hydrophobins were prepared, expressed using the autotransporter surface-display system. We demonstrate that both peptides and hydrophobins can successfully be displayed on the surface of Escherichia coli using this system. We screen the peptide library against acrylic, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polypropylene, and observe an enrichment of a surface-displaying population. Finally, using a fluorescent spot assay, we find that the hydrophobins Vmh2, Sc3, DEW, and NC2 appear to promote bacterial adhesion to acrylic, polystyrene, high-density polyethylene, and polyester.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150281
Entities
People
- Joshua A. Orlicki
- Mark T Kozlowski
- Randall A. Hughes
- Randi M Pullen
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory