Conservation of a hexapeptide sequence in the anchor region of surface proteins from gram-positive cocci

Abstract

A highly conserved hexapeptide sequence (both at the protein- and DNA level) has been identified within the C-terminal end of all 11 known surface proteins from Gram-positive cocci. The hexapeptide, with the consensus sequence LPXTGE, is located about 9 amino acids N-terminal from the C-terminal hydrophobic domain which is found in all these surface molecules. The conservation of the hexapeptide, despite sequence variation within the regions flanking it, suggests that it is important for the attachment of these proteins within the cell.