ISSN:
1432-072X
Keywords:
KDO mutant
;
Lipid A intermediates
;
Hexadecanoic acid substitution
;
Biosynthesis of lipid A
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The extraction, purification and structural characterization of two lipid A precursors (Ia and Ib) differing only in one hexadecanoic acid are described. Both precursors were synthesized at elevated temperatures by a new mutant of Salmonella typhimurium (mutant Ts5) which is conditionally defective in synthesis of the 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid region of lipopolysaccharides. Both precursors were purified by repeated phenol/chloroform/petroleum ether (PCP) extractions followed by thin layer chromatography. Teh precursor preparation was free of lipopolysaccharides and phospholipids and contained less than 0.1% protein. Structural analysis which included chemical degradation procedures as well as positive ion laser desorption (LDMS) mass spectroscopy of dephosphorylated lipid A precursors showed together that precursor Ia represents a diphosphorylated glucosamine disaccharide containing two ester, two amide-linked residues of 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid and lacks the ester-linked dodecanoic, tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acid as well as 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid. Precursor Ib has the same basic structure as precursor Ia, but contains in addition one mol of hexadecanoic acid per mol disaccharide which is linked to the 3-hydroxy group of the amide-bound 3-hydroxy-tetradecanoic acid of the reducing, terminal glucosamine residue. The structure of precursor Ib supports the conclusion that hexadecanoic acid incorporation occurs at an early stage in lipid A biosynthesis prior to the attachment of 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid and/or other polar substituents.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00428849
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