Adhesive proteins of haemagglutinating Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis.

Two proteins derived from the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus, exhibiting apparent molecular masses of 116 kDa and 145 kDa, were found to bind to human buccal and bovine lactiferous sinus epithelial cells. By using antibodies specific for fibronectin-binding protein of S. aureus of human origin, the 116 kDa protein, but not the 145 kDa protein, was identified as a fibronectin-binding protein. The 145 kDa protein bound to bovine fat globule membranes, human buccal epithelial cells, bovine lactiferous sinus epithelial cells and sheep erythrocytes. The properties of the 145 kDa protein suggest that it is an adhesin with a possible role in the early stages of the development of bovine mastitis.