Probiotic bacterial surface protein

Probiotic bacterial surface proteins (PBSPs) are a diverse group of molecules located on the outer layers of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species (Lebeer et al., 2010, Nature Reviews Microbiology). These proteins, including surface layer (S-layer) proteins, adhesins, and moonlighting proteins, play a critical role in the interaction between the probiotic and the host's gastrointestinal environment (Hynönen & Palva, 2013, Reviews in Medical Microbiology). Their primary biological functions include mediating adhesion to the intestinal mucosa, which facilitates colonization and competitive exclusion of pathogens (Sanchez et al., 2008, Applied and Environmental Microbiology). Furthermore, PBSPs are known to interact with host immune cells through pattern recognition receptors like Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), thereby modulating immune responses and strengthening the intestinal barrier (Yan & Polk, 2011, Current Opinion in Gastroenterology). While not traditional therapeutic targets for pharmacological inhibition, they are essential components in the development of postbiotics and engineered probiotic delivery systems for treating inflammatory bowel disease and enteric infections (Lebeer et al., 2010).

Other names

S-layer proteinSurface layer proteinBacterial adhesinMoonlighting proteinMucin-binding proteinMUBPili proteinFlagellinSlpMapA

Probiotic bacterial surface proteins (PBSPs) facilitate competitive exclusion of pathogens by occupying adhesion sites on the intestinal mucosa and modulate host immunity by binding to pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), which triggers anti-inflammatory cytokine production and enhances epithelial barrier function (Lebeer et al., 2010; Yan & Polk, 2011).