FIG. 3.

Comparison of the protein profiles of exponentially growing, VBNC, and starved E. faecalis cells within the 30- to 40-kDa region. Protein extracts of exponentially growing bacteria, VBNC cells, or starved cells were separated by 2D PAGE. Spots were excised or blotted onto a PVDF membrane and further characterized by Q-TOF mass spectrometry or Edman degradation. The obtained sequence tags were compared with existing databases. The identified proteins are indicated by numbers (see also Table 2). A putative unknown VBNC-specific protein spot is enclosed by a circle. Designations are as follows: 1, EF-Ts; 2, homologue of mannose-specific PTS system component IIAB (EC 2.7.1.69) of L. lactis (73% similarity); 3, putative catabolite regulator protein; 4, putative ABC transporter; 5, NADH-dependent enoyl-ACP reductase; and 6, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase.