Anchoring of proteins to lactic acid bacteria

The anchoring of proteins to the cell surface of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) using genetic techniques is an exciting and emerging research area that ho lds great promise for a wide variety of biotechnological applications. This paper reviews five different types of anchoring domains that have been exp lored for their efficiency in attaching hybrid proteins to the cell membran e or cell wall of LAB. The most exploited anchoring regions are those with the LPXTG box that bind the proteins in a covalent way to the cell wall. In recent years, two new modes of cell wall protein anchoring have been studi ed and these may provide new approaches in surface display. The important p rogress that is being made with cell surface display of chimaeric proteins in the areas of vaccine development and enzyme- or whole-cell immobilisatio n is highlighted.