Some properties of the Pseudomonas fluorescens adhesin and antiadhesin

Some properties of the adhesion-modifying factors of Pseudomonas fluorescens are described. Adhesin, which promotes the adhesion of R fluorescens cells, is a hydrophobic compound of a protein nature with a molecular mass of more than 10 kDa located either at the cell surface or in the medium. Antiadhesin, which suppresses the adhesion of P. fluorescens cells, is a thermolabile hydrophobic compound of a nonprotein nature with a molecular mass of less than 3 kDa. Heating makes antiadhesin hydrophilic. The role of adhesin and antiadhesin in the adhesion and adaptation of P. fluorescens cells is discussed.