Exo- and surface proteomes of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM

Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM is a well-known probiotic bacterium extensively studied for its beneficial health effects. Exoproteome (proteins exported into culture medium) and surface proteome (proteins attached to S-layer) of this probiotic were identified by using 2DE followed by MALDI TOF MS to find proteins potentially involved in bacteria-host interactions. The exo- and surface proteomes included 43 and 39 different proteins from 72 and 49 successfully identified spots, respectively. Twenty-two proteins were shared between the two proteomes; both contained the major surface layer protein that participates in host interaction as well as several well-known and putative moonlighting proteins. The exoproteome contained 9 classically-secreted (containing a signal sequence) and 10 non-classically secreted proteins, while the surface proteome contained four classically-secreted and 8 non-classically secreted proteins. Identification of exo- and surface proteomes contributes describing potential protein-mediated probiotic-host interactions.