Cell wall teichoic acids: structural diversity, species specificity in the genusNocardiopsis, and chemotaxonomic perspective

Tumescenamide C, a cyclic lipodepsipeptide from Streptomyces sp. KUSC_F05, exerts antimicrobial activity against the scab-forming actinomycete Streptomyces scabiei

The antimicrobial activity of tumescenamide C against the scab-forming S. scabiei NBRC13768 was confirmed with a potent IC50 value (1.5 μg/mL). Three tumescenamide C-resistant S. scabiei strains were generated to compare their gene variants. All three resistant strains contained nonsynonymous variants in genes related to cellobiose/cellotriose transport system components; cebF1, cebF2, and cebG2, which are responsible for the production of the phytotoxin thaxtomin A. Decrease in thaxtomin A production and the virulence of the three resistant strains were revealed by the LC/MS analysis and necrosis assay, respectively. Although the nonsynonymous variants were insufficient for identifying the molecular target of tumescenamide C, the cell wall component wall teichoic acid (WTA) was observed to bind significantly to tumescenamide C. Moreover, changes in the WTA contents were detected in the tumescenamide C-resistant strains. These results imply that tumescenamide C targets the cell wall system to exert antimicrobial effects on S. scabiei.

Combination of 3-O-Levulinoyl and 6-O-Trifluorobenzoyl Groups Ensures α-Selectivity in Glucosylations: Synthesis of the Oligosaccharides Related to Aspergillus fumigatus α-(1 → 3)-d-Glucan

Stereospecific α-glucosylation of primary and secondary OH-group at carbohydrate acceptors is achieved using glucosyl N-phenyl-trifluoroacetimidate (PTFAI) donor protected with an electron-withdrawing 2,4,5-trifluorobenzoyl (TFB) group at O-6 and the participating levulinoyl (Lev) group at O-3. New factors have been revealed that might explain α-stereoselectivity in the case of TFB and pentafluorobenzoyl (PFB) groups at O-6. They are of conformational nature and confirmed by DFT calculations. The potential of this donor, as well as the orthogonality of TFB and Lev protecting groups, is showcased by the synthesis of α-(1 → 3)-linked pentaglucoside corresponding to Aspergillus fumigatus α-(1 → 3)-d-glucan and of its hexasaccharide derivative, bearing β-glucosamine residue at the non-reducing end.

Antibiotics and Carbohydrate-Containing Drugs Targeting Bacterial Cell Envelopes: An Overview

Certain bacteria constitute a threat to humans due to their ability to escape host defenses as they easily develop drug resistance. Bacteria are classified into gram-positive and gram-negative according to the composition of the cell membrane structure. Gram-negative bacteria have an additional outer membrane (OM) that is not present in their gram-positive counterpart; the latter instead hold a thicker peptidoglycan (PG) layer. This review covers the main structural and functional properties of cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs) and PG. Drugs targeting CWPs are discussed, both noncarbohydrate-related (β-lactams, fosfomycin, and lipopeptides) and carbohydrate-related (glycopeptides and lipoglycopeptides). Bacterial resistance to these drugs continues to evolve, which calls for novel antibacterial approaches to be developed. The use of carbohydrate-based vaccines as a valid strategy to prevent bacterial infections is also addressed.

Insight into the molecular basis of substrate recognition by the wall teichoic acid glycosyltransferase TagA

Wall teichoic acid (WTA) polymers are covalently affixed to the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall and have important functions in cell elongation, cell morphology, biofilm formation, and β-lactam antibiotic resistance. The first committed step in WTA biosynthesis is catalyzed by the TagA glycosyltransferase (also called TarA), a peripheral membrane protein that produces the conserved linkage unit, which joins WTA to the cell wall peptidoglycan. TagA contains a conserved GT26 core domain followed by a C-terminal polypeptide tail that is important for catalysis and membrane binding. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Thermoanaerobacter italicus TagA enzyme bound to UDP-N-acetyl-d-mannosamine, revealing the molecular basis of substrate binding. Native MS experiments support the model that only monomeric TagA is enzymatically active and that it is stabilized by membrane binding. Molecular dynamics simulations and enzyme activity measurements indicate that the C-terminal polypeptide tail facilitates catalysis by encapsulating the UDP-N-acetyl-d-mannosamine substrate, presenting three highly conserved arginine residues to the active site that are important for catalysis (R214, R221, and R224). From these data, we present a mechanistic model of catalysis that ascribes functions for these residues. This work could facilitate the development of new antimicrobial compounds that disrupt WTA biosynthesis in pathogenic bacteria.

Cell wall galactofuranan and pyruvate-containing galactomannan in the cell walls of Clavibacter strains

The cell wall glycopolymer structures of plant-associated strains Clavibacter sp. VKM Ac-1371, Clavibacter sp. VKM Ac-1372 and Clavibacter sp. VKM Ac-1374, members of three putative new species (family Microbacteriaceae, class Actinobacteria) were studied. Each strain was found to contain two glycopolymers, neutral and acidic ones. The main chain of neutral polymer, identical in all three strains, is (1 → 6)-linked β-d-galactofuranan with every second galactofuranose residue substituted at position 2 by side disaccharide, α-d-Manp-(1 → 2)-α-d-Ribf-(1 → . The second, acidic polymer, is pyruvate-containing galactomannan with the repeating unit, →3)-α-d-Galp-(1 → 3)-α-d-[4,6-S-Pyr]-Manp-(1 → 3)-α-d-Manp-(1 → . Reducing mannopyranose residues of the acidic polysaccharides repeating unit from strains VKM Ac-1372 and VKM Ac-1374 bear O-acetyl residues additionally. The cell wall glycopolymer structures were established by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods with using one- and two-dimensional techniques ¹H,¹H COSY, TOCSY, ROESY and ¹H,¹³C HSQC, HMBC. The results obtained provide new data on diversity of the bacterial cell wall glycopolymers and may prove valuable for microbial taxonomy and insight into the molecular mechanisms of interactions between bacteria and plants and also of bacterial adaptation to survival in desert systems.

Cell wall glycosylation in Staphylococcus aureus: targeting the tar glycosyltransferases

Peptidoglycan (PG) is the major structural polymer of the bacterial cell wall. The PG layer of gram-positive bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is permeated with anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs) and lipoteichoic acids (LTAs). In S. aureus, the WTA backbone typically consists of repeating ribitol-5-phosphate units, which are modified by enzymes that introduce glycosylation as well as amino acids at different locations. These modifications are key determinants of phage adhesion, bacterial biofilm formation and virulence of S. aureus. In this review, we examine differences in WTA structures in gram-positive bacteria, focusing in particular on three enzymes, TarM, TarS, and TarP that glycosylate the WTA of S. aureus at different locations. Infections with S. aureus pose an increasing threat to human health, particularly through the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Recently obtained structural information on TarM, TarS and TarP has helped to better understand the strategies used by S. aureus to establish resistance and to evade host defense mechanisms. Moreover, structures of complexes with poly-RboP and its analogs can serve as a platform for the development of new inhibitors that could form a basis for the development of antibiotic agents.

Wall teichoic acids: physiology and applications

Wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are charged glycopolymers containing phosphodiester-linked polyol units and represent one of the major components of Gram-positive cell envelope. WTAs have important physiological functions in cell division, gene transfer, surface adhesion, drug resistance and biofilm formation, and are critical virulence factors and vital determinants in mediating cell interaction with and tolerance to environmental factors. Here, we first briefly introduce WTA structure, biosynthesis and its regulation, and then summarize in detail four major physiological roles played by WTAs, i.e. WTA-mediated resistance to antimicrobials, virulence to mammalian cells, interaction with bacteriolytic enzymes and regulation of cell metabolism. We also review the applications of WTAs in these fields that are closely related to the human society, including antibacterial drug discovery targeting WTA biosynthesis, development of vaccines and antibodies regarding WTA-mediated pathogenicity, specific and sensitive detection of pathogens in food using WTAs as a surface epitope and regulation of WTA-related pathways for efficient microbial production of useful compounds. We also point out major problems remaining in these fields, and discuss some possible directions in the future exploration of WTA physiology and applications.

Reagent controlled stereoselective synthesis of teichoic acid α-(1,2)-glucans

The stereoselective construction of 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages is key in the assembly of biologically relevant glycans, but remains a synthetic challenge. Reagent-controlled glycosylation methodologies, in which external nucleophiles are employed to modulate the reactivity of the glycosylation system, have become powerful means for the construction of 1,2-cis-glycosidic linkages. Here we establish that nucleophilic additives can support the construction of α-1,2-glucans, and apply our findings in the construction of a d-alanine kojibiose functionalized glycerol phosphate teichoic acid fragment. This latter molecule can be found in the cell wall of the opportunistic Gram-positive bacterium, Enterococcus faecalis and represents a structural element that can possibly be used in the development of therapeutic vaccines and diagnostic tools.

Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of CodY-Mediated Cell Aggregation in Staphylococcus aureus Reveals an Interaction between Extracellular DNA and Polysaccharide in the Extracellular Matrix

The global regulator CodY links nutrient availability to the regulation of virulence factor gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus, including many genes whose products affect biofilm formation. Antithetical phenotypes of both biofilm deficiency and accumulation have been reported for codY-null mutants; thus, the role of CodY in biofilm development remains unclear. codY mutant cells of a strain producing a robust biofilm elaborate proaggregation surface-associated features not present on codY mutant cells that do not produce a robust biofilm. Biochemical analysis of the clinical isolate SA564, which aggregates when deficient for CodY, revealed that these features are sensitive to nuclease treatment and are resistant to protease exposure. Genetic analyses revealed that disrupting lgt (the diacylglycerol transferase gene) in codY mutant cells severely weakened aggregation, indicating a role for lipoproteins in the attachment of the biofilm matrix to the cell surface. An additional and critical role of IcaB in producing functional poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PIA) polysaccharide in extracellular DNA (eDNA)-dependent biofilm formation was shown. Moreover, overproducing PIA is sufficient to promote aggregation in a DNA-dependent manner regardless of source of nucleic acids. Taken together, our results point to PIA synthesis as the primary determinant of biofilm formation when CodY activity is reduced and suggest a modified electrostatic net model for matrix attachment whereby PIA associates with eDNA, which interacts with the cell surface via covalently attached membrane lipoproteins. This work counters the prevailing view that polysaccharide- and eDNA/protein-based biofilms are mutually exclusive. Rather, we demonstrate that eDNA and PIA can work synergistically to form a biofilm.IMPORTANCE Staphylococcus aureus remains a global health concern and exemplifies the ability of an opportunistic pathogen to adapt and persist within multiple environments, including host tissue. Not only does biofilm contribute to persistence and immune evasion in the host environment, it also may aid in the transition to invasive disease. Thus, understanding how biofilms form is critical for developing strategies for dispersing biofilms and improving biofilm disease-related outcomes. Using biochemical, genetic, and cell biology approaches, we reveal a synergistic interaction between PIA and eDNA that promotes cell aggregation and biofilm formation in a CodY-dependent manner in S. aureus We also reveal that envelope-associated lipoproteins mediate attachment of the biofilm matrix to the cell surface.

Use of an electro-optical sensor and phage antibodies for immunodetection of Herbaspirillum

A sheep single-chain antibody-fragment library (Griffin.1, UK) was used to obtain miniantibodies to the lipopolysaccharide of Herbaspirillum seropedicae Z78. Using electro-optical analysis and electron microscopy, we recorded a biospecific interaction of antigenic determinants on the cell surface with phage antibodies against the LPS of H. seropedicae Z78 (mini-Abs_LPS). Control experiments were run to rule out nonspecific binding of the mini-Abs_LPS to cells of Azospirillum brasilense Sp245. Use of the highly specific mini-Abs_LPS enabled the lipopolysaccharide of H. seropedicae Z78 to be detected in a mixture of bacterial cells by electro-optical means (analysis time, ∼5 min). This report is the first to show the possibility of rapid detection of Herbaspirillum on the basis of electro-optical analysis coupled with the use of mini-Abs_LPS. The results are promising for the development of biosensor-based methods to detect potentially human-harmful prokaryotes whose structures either have not been studied or are absent from commercial databases.

A rapid NMR-based method for discrimination of strain-specific cell wall teichoic acid structures reveals a third backbone type in Lactobacillus plantarum

The lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum is capable of producing strain-specific structures of cell wall teichoic acid (WTA), an anionic polysaccharide found in the Gram-positive bacterial cell wall. In this study, we established a rapid, NMR-based procedure to discriminate WTA structures in this species, and applied it to 94 strains of L. plantarum. Six previously reported glycerol- and ribitol-containing WTA subtypes were successfully identified from 78 strains, suggesting that these were the dominant structures. However, the level of structural variety differed markedly among bacterial sources, possibly reflecting differences in strain-level microbial diversity. WTAs from eight strains were not identified based on NMR spectra and were classified into three groups. Structural analysis of a partial degradation product of an unidentified WTA produced by strain TUA 1496L revealed that the WTA was 1-O-β-d-glucosylglycerol. Two-dimensional NMR analysis of the polymer structure showed phosphodiester bonds between C-3 and C-6 of the glycerol and glucose residues, suggesting a polymer structure of 3,6΄-linked poly(1-O-β-d-glucosyl-sn-glycerol phosphate). This is the third WTA backbone structure in L. plantarum, following 3,6΄-linked poly(1-O-α-d-glucosyl-sn-glycerol phosphate) and 1,5-linked poly(ribitol phosphate).

Teichoic acids: synthesis and applications

This review describes synthetic strategies to assemble well-defined teichoic acids and their use in unraveling their biological mode of action.

Antimicrobial Peptides Targeting Gram-Positive Bacteria

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have remarkably different structures as well as biological activity profiles, whereupon most of these peptides are supposed to kill bacteria via membrane damage. In order to understand their molecular mechanism and target cell specificity for Gram-positive bacteria, it is essential to consider the architecture of their cell envelopes. Before AMPs can interact with the cytoplasmic membrane of Gram-positive bacteria, they have to traverse the cell wall composed of wall- and lipoteichoic acids and peptidoglycan. While interaction of AMPs with peptidoglycan might rather facilitate penetration, interaction with anionic teichoic acids may act as either a trap for AMPs or a ladder for a route to the cytoplasmic membrane. Interaction with the cytoplasmic membrane frequently leads to lipid segregation affecting membrane domain organization, which affects membrane permeability, inhibits cell division processes or leads to delocalization of essential peripheral membrane proteins. Further, precursors of cell wall components, especially the highly conserved lipid II, are directly targeted by AMPs. Thereby, the peptides do not inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis via binding to proteins like common antibiotics, but form a complex with the precursor molecule, which in addition can promote pore formation and membrane disruption. Thus, the multifaceted mode of actions will make AMPs superior to antibiotics that act only on one specific target.

α-Pyrones with Diverse Hydroxy Substitutions from Three Marine-Derived Nocardiopsis Strains

Eight new α-pyrones 1-8 and three known α-pyrones 9-11 were isolated from three marine-derived Nocardiopsis strains SCSIO 10419, SCSIO 04583, and SCSIO KS107. The structures of compounds 1-8 were elucidated by comprehensive spectral analyses. The absolute configurations of 4-deoxyphomapyrone C (1), 4-deoxy-11-hydroxyphomapyrone C (3), 4-deoxy-7R-hydroxyphomapyrone C (5), and phomapyrone C (11) were determined by TDDFT-ECD calculations for the solution conformers, which revealed that the conformation of the side chain was decisive for the sign of the characteristic high-wavelength ECD transition. (-)-4-Deoxy-8-hydroxyphomapyrone C (4) was isolated from SCSIO 10419 and was deduced as a diastereomeric mixture containing (8S)- and (8R)-4-deoxy-8-hydroxyphomapyrone C in a ratio of 2.6:1 (8R:8S), by chiral-phase HPLC analysis and Mosher's ester analysis. Interestingly, 7-hydroxymucidone (9) was isolated from both SCSIO 04583 and SCSIO KS107, as an enantiomeric mixture containing (7S)-hydroxymucidone (major in 9 from SCSIO 04583) and (7R)-hydroxymucidone (major in 9 from SCSIO KS107). α-Pyrones 3-5 were identified as three isomers of phomapyrone C (11) with diverse hydroxy substitutions. α-Pyrones 10-hydroxymucidone (6), 4-hydroxymucidone (8), and 9, differed in the position of the hydroxy group. Several α-pyrones exhibited moderate growth inhibitory activity against Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis.

New structures and composition of cell wall teichoic acids from Nocardiopsis synnemataformans, Nocardiopsis halotolerans, Nocardiopsis composta and Nocardiopsis metallicus: a chemotaxonomic value

The structures of the cell wall teichoic acids (TA) from some species of the genus Nocardiopsis were established by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. The cell walls of Nocardiopsis synnemataformans VKM Ac-2518(T) and Nocardiopsis halotolerans VKM Ac-2519(T) both contain two TA with unique structures-poly(polyol phosphate-glycosylpolyol phosphate)-belonging to the type IV TA. In both organisms, the minor TA have identical structures: poly(glycerol phosphate-N-acetyl-β-galactosaminylglycerol phosphate) with the phosphodiester bond between C-3 of glycerol and C-4 of the amino sugar. This structure is found for the first time. The major TA of N. halotolerans has a hitherto unknown structure: poly(glycerol phosphate-N-acetyl-β-galactosaminylglycerol phosphate), the N-acetyl-β-galactosamine being acetalated with pyruvic acid at positions 4 and 6. The major TA of N. synnemataformans is a poly(glycerol phosphate-N-acetyl-β-galactosaminylglycerol phosphate) with the phosphodiester bond between C-3 of glycerol and C-3 of the amino sugar. The cell walls of Nocardiopsis composta VKM Ac-2520 and N. composta VKM Ac-2521(T) contain only one TA, namely 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) partially substituted with N-acetyl-α-glucosamine. The cell wall of Nocardiopsis metallicus VKM Ac-2522(T) contains two TA. The major TA is 1,5-poly(ribitol phosphate), each ribitol unit carrying a pyruvate ketal group at positions 2 and 4. The structure of the minor TA is the same as that of N. composta. The results presented correlate well with the phylogenetic grouping of strains and confirm the species and strain specific features of cell wall TA in members of the genus Nocardiopsis.

Taking aim at wall teichoic acid synthesis: new biology and new leads for antibiotics

Wall teichoic acids are a major and integral component of the Gram-positive cell wall. These structures are present across all species of Gram-positive bacteria and constitute roughly half of the cell wall. Despite decades of careful investigation, a definitive physiological function for wall teichoic acids remains elusive. Advances in the genetics and biochemistry of wall teichoic acid synthesis have led to a new understanding of the complexity of cell wall synthesis in Gram-positive bacteria. Indeed, these innovations have provided new molecular tools available to probe the synthesis and function of these cell wall structures. Among recent discoveries are unexpected roles for wall teichoic acid in cell division, coordination of peptidoglycan synthesis and β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Notably, wall teichoic acid biogenesis has emerged as a bona fide drug target in S. aureus, where remarkable synthetic-viable interactions among biosynthetic genes have been leveraged for the discovery and characterization of novel inhibitors of the pathway.

Wall teichoic acids of gram-positive bacteria

The peptidoglycan layers of many gram-positive bacteria are densely functionalized with anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs). These polymers play crucial roles in cell shape determination, regulation of cell division, and other fundamental aspects of gram-positive bacterial physiology. Additionally, WTAs are important in pathogenesis and play key roles in antibiotic resistance. We provide an overview of WTA structure and biosynthesis, review recent studies on the biological roles of these polymers, and highlight remaining questions. We also discuss prospects for exploiting WTA biosynthesis as a target for new therapies to overcome resistant infections.

Determination of strain-specific wall teichoic acid structures in Lactobacillus plantarum reveals diverse α-D-glucosyl substitutions and high structural uniformity of the repeating units

The structural diversity of wall teichoic acid (WTA) was investigated using biochemical and NMR analyses among 19 strains of Lactobacillus plantarum, of which seven were previously established to contain a glycerol-type backbone, whereas the remaining 12 strains possess ribitol-containing WTA. Despite the fact that the WTAs consisted of identical components, namely phosphoric acid, alditol (glycerol or ribitol) and glucose, comparative analysis of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra indicated the presence of six different structures, based on the observed differences in the anomeric signals of glucose residues. To determine the six WTA structures, their repeating units were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis, followed by fractionation on HPLC, and analysis by NMR spectroscopy using synthetic molecules as a reference. The structures of the six isolates were established as 1-α-D-glucosyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, 1-α-D-kojibiosyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, 1-α-D-nigerosyl-sn-glycerol 3-phosphate, 4-α-D-kojibiosylribitol 1-phosphate and 1,5-linked di-(2,4-di-α-D-glucosylribitol) phosphate. The backbone structures appeared to be 3,6'-linked poly(1-α-D-glucosyl-sn-glycerol phosphate) for the glycerol-type WTA and 1,5-linked poly(ribitol phosphate) for the ribitol-containing WTA. Moreover, in the analysis of the alkaline hydrolysates on HPLC, only single structures of repeating units were released from each WTA, indicating the high structural uniformity of the WTA in each strain. Notably, analyses of lipoteichoic acid isolated from representative strains harbouring the six different WTAs revealed the universal presence of a 1,3-linked poly(glycerol phosphate) chain, substituted at C-2 of the glycerol residues with glucose residues. These findings provide fundamental information on WTA structural variability in Lb. plantarum, which seems likely to play a pivotal role in the physiology of this bacterial species.

Phosphate-containing cell wall polymers of bacilli

Anionic phosphate-containing cell wall polymers of bacilli are represented by teichoic acids and poly(glycosyl 1-phosphates). Different locations of phosphodiester bonds in the main chain of teichoic acids as well as the nature and combination of the constituent structural elements underlie their structural diversity. Currently, the structures of teichoic acids of bacilli can be classified into three types, viz. poly(polyol phosphates) with glycerol or ribitol as the polyol; poly(glycosylpolyol phosphates), mainly glycerol-containing polymers; and poly(acylglycosylglycerol phosphate), in which the components are covalently linked through glycosidic, phosphodiester, and amide bonds. In addition to teichoic acids, poly(glycosyl 1-phosphates) with mono- and disaccharide residues in the repeating units have been detected in cell walls of several Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus strains. The known structures of teichoic acids and poly(glycosyl 1-phosphates) of B. subtilis, B. atrophaeus, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus, B. stearothermophilus, B. coagulans, B. cereus as well as oligomers that link the polymers to peptidoglycan are surveyed. The reported data on the structures of phosphate-containing polymers of different strains of B. subtilis suggest heterogeneity of the species and may be of interest for the taxonomy of bacilli to allow differentiation of closely related organisms according to the "structures and composition of cell wall polymers" criterion.

Teichuronic and teichulosonic acids of actinomycetes

The subject of the present review is the structural diversity and abundance of cell wall teichuronic and teichulosonic acids of representatives of the order Actinomycetales. Recently found teichulosonic acids are a new class of natural glycopolymers with ald-2-ulosonic acid residues: Kdn (3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid) or di-N-acyl derivatives of Pse (5,7-diamino-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-L-glycero-L-manno-non-2-ulosonic or pseudaminic acid) as the obligatory component. The structures of teichuronic and teichulosonic acids are presented. Data are summarized on the occurrence of the glycopolymers of different nature in the cell wall of the studied actinomycetes. The biological role of the glycopolymers and their possible taxonomic implication are discussed. The comprehensive tables given in the Supplement show (13)C NMR spectroscopic data of teichuronic and teichulosonic acids obtained by the authors.

Rapid analysis of Listeria monocytogenes cell wall teichoic acid carbohydrates by ESI-MS/MS

We report the application of electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry for compositional characterization of wall teichoic acids (WTA), a major component of Gram-positive bacterial cell walls. Tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) of purified and chemically hydrolyzed monomeric WTA components provided sufficient information to identify WTA monomers and their specific carbohydrate constituents. A lithium matrix was used for ionization of uncharged WTA monomers, and successfully applied to analyze the WTA molecules of four Listeria strains differing in carbohydrate substitution on a conserved polyribitol-phosphate backbone structure. Carbohydrate residues such as N-acetylglucosamine or rhamnose linked to the WTA could directly be identified by ESI-MS/MS, circumventing the need for quantitative analysis by gas chromatography. The presence of a terminal N-acetylglucosamine residue tethered to the ribitol was confirmed using fluorescently labeled wheat-germ agglutinin. In conclusion, the mass spectrometry method described here will greatly facilitate compositional analysis and characterization of teichoic acids and similar macromolecules from diverse bacterial species, and represents a significant advance in the identification of serovar-specific carbohydrates and sugar molecules on bacteria.

Heterogeneous set of cell wall teichoic acids in strains of Bacillus subtilis VKM B-760 and VKM B-764

Cell walls of Bacillus subtilis VKM B-760 and VKM B-764 are characterized by heterogeneous composition of teichoic acids. Polymer I with structure -6)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->1)-sn-Gro-(3-P-, polymer II with structure -6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->1)-sn-Gro-(3-P-, and a small amount of unsubstituted 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) were detected in strain VKM B-760. Strain VKM B-764 contains an analogous set of teichoic acids, but a characteristic feature of polymer II is the presence of disubstituted glycerol residue with alpha-glucopyranose localization in the integral chain at C-1 hydroxyl and beta-glucopyranose as a side branch at C-2 hydroxyl (polymer III): -6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->1)-[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->2)]-sn-Gro-(3-P-. The structures of polymer I in bacilli and polymer III in Gram-positive bacteria are described for the first time. Teichoic acids were studied by chemical methods and on the basis of combined analysis of one-dimensional 1H-, 13C-, and (31)P-NMR spectra, homonuclear two-dimensional (1)H/(1)H COSY, TOCSY, and ROESY, and heteronuclear two-dimensional (1)H/(13)C gHSQC- and HMQC-TOCSY experiments. Simultaneous presence of several different structure teichoic acids in the bacillus cell walls as well as chemotaxonomical perspectives of the application of these polymers as species-specific markers for members of the Bacillus genus is discussed.

New cell wall glycopolymers of the representatives of the genus Kribbella

Each of the cell walls of four representatives of the genus Kribbella (order Actinomycetales; suborder Propionibacterineae; family Nocardioidaceae) contains a neutral polysaccharide and an acidic polysaccharide with unusual structures. Common to all four strains studied is a mannan with the following repeating unit: [structure: see text]. In the cell wall of the strain VKM Ac-2541, a teichulosonic acid was identified with a monosaccharide component that has not hitherto been found in Gram-positive bacteria, viz., pseudaminic acid, and an unusual linkage type in the polymeric chain, [structure: see text] where R=capital EN, Cyrillic (45%), alpha-D-Galp3OMe (37%) or alpha-D-Galp2,3OMe (18%). The anionic cell wall components of three other strains are represented by teichuronic acids with a rare constituent, viz., a diaminosugar, 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxyglucopyranose. The structures of their repeating units differ in the nature of the acidic components: -->4)-beta-D-Manp2,3NAcA-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Glcp2,3NAc-(1--> (VKM capital A, Cyrillicsmall es, Cyrillic-2538 and VKM capital A, Cyrillicsmall es, Cyrillic-2540) and -->4)-beta-D-ManpNAcA-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Glcp2,3NAc-(1--> (VKM capital A, Cyrillicsmall es, Cyrillic-2539). The structures of all the glycopolymers were established by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods; they are identified in Gram-positive bacteria for the first time.

Lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis: two steps forwards, one step sideways?

Lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) are membrane-anchored molecules in the cell envelopes of Gram-positive bacteria. Until recently, they were considered to be restricted to the Firmicutes, which include important pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Polyanionic LTAs have fundamentally important roles in divalent cation retention within the Gram-positive cell envelope and thereby influence bacterial cell division. Thus, LTA biosynthesis provides an attractive target for the development of novel antimicrobial interventions. Recent studies, notably two investigations of S. aureus and another of Bacillus subtilis, have greatly improved our understanding of the genetic basis of LTA biosynthesis. In addition, reports have revealed that at least some members of the Actinobacteria (another phylum of Gram-positive bacteria) produce LTAs, rather than the lipoglycans previously assumed to be typical of this taxon. The availability of whole bacterial genome sequences has enabled us to perform comparative analyses to shed light on the distribution of putative LTA biosynthetic genes among bacteria. Here, we discuss the results of these genomic analyses, together with the current literature, and propose that LTA biosynthesis in Actinobacteria might be fundamentally different to that in most Firmicutes.

Increased D-alanylation of lipoteichoic acid and a thickened septum are main determinants in the nisin resistance mechanism of Lactococcus lactis

Nisin is a post-translationally modified antimicrobial peptide produced by Lactococcus lactis which binds to lipid II in the membrane to form pores and inhibit cell-wall synthesis. A nisin-resistant (Nis(R)) strain of L. lactis, which is able to grow at a 75-fold higher nisin concentration than its parent strain, was investigated with respect to changes in the cell wall. Direct binding studies demonstrated that less nisin was able to bind to lipid II in the membranes of L. lactis Nis(R) than in the parent strain. In contrast to vancomycin binding, which showed ring-like binding, nisin was observed to bind in patches close to cell-division sites in both the wild-type and the Nis(R) strains. Comparison of modifications in lipoteichoic acid of the L. lactis strains revealed an increase in d-alanyl esters and galactose as substituents in L. lactis Nis(R), resulting in a less negatively charged cell wall. Moreover, the cell wall displays significantly increased thickness at the septum. These results indicate that shielding the membrane and thus the lipid II molecule, thereby decreasing abduction of lipid II and subsequent pore-formation, is a major defence mechanism of L. lactis against nisin.

Synthesis of octa- and dodecamers of d-ribitol-1-phosphate and their protein conjugates

The bacterial cell-wall-associated teichoic acids contain predominantly D-ribitol residues interconnected by phosphodiester linkages. Because of their location, these antigens may be vaccine candidates as part of conjugate vaccines. Here, we describe the synthesis of extended oligomers of D-ribitol-1-phosphate linked to a spacer having an amino group at its terminus. The synthesis utilized a fully protected D-ribitol-phosphoramidite that was oligomerized in a stepwise fashion followed by deprotection. The free oligomers were connected to bovine serum albumin using oxime chemistry. Thus, the ribitol phosphate oligomers were converted into keto derivatives, and the albumin counterpart was decorated with aminooxy groups. Reaction of the functionalized saccharide and protein moieties afforded conjugates having up to 20 ribitol phosphate chains.

Cell wall teichoic acids of streptomycetes of the phenetic cluster ‘Streptomyces fulvissimus’

Structures of the anionic polymers of streptomycetes Streptomyces fulvissimus VKM Ac-994(T), Streptomyces longispororuber VKM Ac-1735(T), Streptomyces aureoveticillatus VKM Ac-48(T) and Streptomyces spectabilis INA 00606 belonging to the phenetic cluster 'S. fulvissimus' were investigated by chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. A teichoic acid from the cell wall of S. spectabilis INA 00606 was studied in more detail, and this was shown to represent 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) substituted with glucosamine (alpha-D-GlcNAc) and L-glutamic acid (non-stoichiometric substitution). For the first time, glutamic acid is identified as an acyl substituent in teichoic acids of streptomycetes. The polymer chain is built of the following fragments: Cell walls of other streptomycetes of the phenocluster under study contain 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphates) with glucosamine as a glycosyl substituent at O-2 of the glycerol phosphate units and L-glutamic acid and lysine as O-2 acyl substituents. Not all amino sugar residues in the polymers of these strains are N-acetylated, and the content of the glucosamine and lysine residues in the polymers of different strains is not the same. Despite certain quantitative differences in the structures of the polymers, one may consider streptomycetes of the phenocluster 'S. fulvissimus' as closely related microorganisms, the details of the structures serving as additional criteria for the determination of the species status of a strain under study.

A new neutral polymer from the cell wall of actinomycete Kineosporia aurantiaca VKM Ac-702T

The major cell wall polymer of Kineosporia aurantiaca VKM Ac-702T a representative of the suborder Frankineae, is a galactomannan with a repeating unit of the following structure: -->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-beta-D-Manp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Manp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Manp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Manp-(1--> that has not been reported so far. This was established using chemical degradation methods and NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide identified in the present study provides the second example of neutral galactomannans in actinomycete cell walls. The cell wall of K. aurantiaca VKM Ac-702T also contains a minor teichoic acid, viz., 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) partially substituted with alpha-glucosamine residues, only part of which are N-acetylated.

Structural elucidation of the extracellular and cell-wall teichoic acids of Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A, a reference biofilm-positive strain

The ability to adhere to artificial surfaces and form biofilms is considered as a virulence factor of Staphylococcus epidermidis, one of the major causes of nocosomial infections, especially those related to implanted medical devices. Cell-wall teichoic acid is known to play an important role in biofilm formation of staphylococci. The structure of the cell wall and extracellular teichoic acids of S. epidermidis RP62A, a reference biofilm-positive strain, was studied by NMR spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry. Their structures were found to be a (1-->3)-linked poly(glycerol phosphate), substituted at the 2-position of glycerol residues with alpha-Glc, alpha-GlcNAc, D-Ala and alpha-Glc6Ala. D-Alanyl acylation of a sugar hydroxyl group seems to be a novel structural feature of teichoic acids from staphylococci.

Characterization of the antigenic lipopolysaccharide O chain and the capsular polysaccharide produced by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 13

Serotyping of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the etiologic agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, is important for epidemiological studies and for the development of homologous vaccine cell preparations. The serology is based on the specific chemical structures of capsular polysaccharides (CPSs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigenic O-polysaccharide moieties (O-PSs), and knowledge of these structures is required for a molecular-level understanding of their serological specificities. The structures of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 to 12 CPSs and O-PSs have been elucidated; however, the structures associated with three newly proposed serotypes (serotypes 13, 14, and 15) have not been reported. Herein we described the structures of the antigenic O-PS and CPS of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 13. The O-PS of the A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 13 LPS is a polymer of branched tetrasaccharide repeating units composed of l-rhamnose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-galactose, and d-galactose residues (1:1:2). By use of hydrolysis, methylation, and periodate oxidation chemical methods together with the application of one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, the structures of the O chain and CPS were determined. The CPS of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 13 was characterized as a teichoic-acid type polymer. The LPS O antigen was identical to the O-PS produced by A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 7. The CPS has the unique structure of a 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) teichoic acid type I polymer and constitutes the macromolecule defining the A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 13 antigenic specificity.

Reclassification of Agromyces fucosus subsp. hippuratus as Agromyces hippuratus sp. nov., comb. nov. and emended description of Agromyces fucosus

The taxonomic position of Agromyces fucosus subsp. hippuratus is revised on the basis of molecular and phenotypic data. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA–DNA relatedness values and differences from other species in phenotypic traits revealed in this and earlier studies suggested reclassification of A. fucosus subsp. hippuratus as a separate species, Agromyces hippuratus sp. nov., comb. nov. The type strain is VKM Ac-1352T (=JCM 9087T). An emended description of Agromyces fucosus is given.