Structure of the lipopolysaccharide antigenic O-chain produced by Salmonella ohio (O:6,7)

Use of mass spectrometry to compare three O-chain-linked and free lipopolysaccharide cores: differences found in Bordetella parapertussis

Plasma desorption mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry methods were used to investigate the molecular differences between lipopolysaccharide free core molecules and core molecules substituted by O-chains in Bordetella parapertussis, Salmonella ohio, and Escherichia coli 0119. The B. parapertussis analysis indicated a difference in mass of 569 amu corresponding to 3 distal sugars comprising terminal residues of heptose, galactosaminuronic acid, and, N-acetyl-N-methylfucosamine, a result supported by evidence from NMR and serology. No differences were evident in the analyses of cores in either S. ohio or E. coli O119, although the first O-chain unit carried by S. ohio core lacked a terminal glucose present in the residual O-chain repeating units.

Structural diversity in Salmonella O antigens and its genetic basis

This review covers the structures and genetics of the 46 O antigens of Salmonella, a major pathogen of humans and domestic animals. The variation in structures underpins the serological specificity of the 46 recognized serogroups. The O antigen is important for the full function and virulence of many bacteria, and the considerable diversity of O antigens can confer selective advantage. Salmonella O antigens can be divided into two major groups: those which have N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) or N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and those which have galactose (Gal) as the first sugar in the O unit. In recent years, we have determined 21 chemical structures and sequenced 28 gene clusters for GlcNAc-/GalNAc-initiated O antigens, thus completing the structure and DNA sequence data for the 46 Salmonella O antigens. The structures and gene clusters of the GlcNAc-/GalNAc-initiated O antigens were found to be highly diverse, and 24 of them were found to be identical or closely related to Escherichia coli O antigens. Sequence comparisons indicate that all or most of the shared gene clusters were probably present in the common ancestor, although alternative explanations are also possible. In contrast, the better-known eight Gal-initiated O antigens are closely related both in structures and gene cluster sequences.

A new rapid and micro-scale hydrolysis, using triethylamine citrate, for lipopolysaccharide characterization by mass spectrometry

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) is, in general, composed of two moieties: a hydrophilic polysaccharide linked to a hydrophobic lipid A terminal unit and forms a major surface component of gram-negative bacteria. The structural features of LPS moieties play a role in pathogenesis and also involve immunogenicity and diagnostic serology. The major toxic factor of LPS resides in the lipid A moiety, anchored in the outer layer of the bacterium, and its relative biological activity is critically related to fine structural features within the molecule. In establishing relationships between structural features and biological activities of LPS it is of the utmost importance to develop new analytical methods that can be applied to the complete unambiguous characterization of a specific LPS molecule. Herein is presented a practical rapid and sensitive analytical procedure for the mass spectral screening of LPS using triethylamine citrate as an agent for both disaggregation and mild hydrolysis of LPS. It provides improved matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectra and, in particular, affords the identification of fragments retaining labile substituents present in the native macromolecular LPS structures. The methods were developed and applied using purified LPS of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, as well as more complex LPS of Actnobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide from Salmonella cerro (serogroup K, O:6,14,18)

The following structure of the Salmonella cerro LPS O-chain repeating unit has been determined using NMR and chemical methods: -->4)-alpha-D-Man(1-->2)-alpha-D-Man(1-->2)-beta-D-Man(1-->3)-alpha-D-GalNAc-(1-->.