Purification and partial characterization of an outer membrane protein involved in the adhesion of Rahnella aquatilis to wheat roots

A 38 kDa major outer membrane protein isolated from the nitrogen-fixing enterobacterium Rahnella aquatilis CF3 showed high affinity for wheat roots in an in vitro adhesion assay. Antibodies directed against the 38 kDa protein were able to bind to whole cells of R. aquatilis and strongly reduced attachment to wheat roots, suggesting a role in adhesion to and colonization of plant roots. The N-terminal sequence of the 38 kDa protein revealed a strong homology with enterobacterial porins.