FIGURE 5.

Detection of PNAG in extracts of E. coli and B. subtilis strains. Extracts of the indicated E. coli or B. subtilis strain were immobilized on membranes and probed with mAb F598 to PNAG followed by anti-human IgG conjugated to HRP. Both WT E. coli and E. coli Δpga carrying the cloned B. subtilis epsHIJK genes expressed PNAG, while the Δpga strain did not contain detectable PNAG. Similarly, extracts of cells of B. subtilis DS991 had detectable PNAG, but none was present in the strains lacking either the epsH or epsJ genes. Extracts with detectable PNAG lost reactivity with mAb F598 following dispersin B or periodate treatment and contained detectable hexosamine. N/A, not applicable; Pos, positive; Neg, negative.