Capsular Polysaccharide Production in Bacteria of the Mycoplasma Genus: A Huge Diversity of Pathways and Synthases for So-Called Minimal Bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Mycoplasmas are wall-less bacteria with many species spread across various animal hosts in which they can be pathogenic. Despite their reduced anabolic capacity, some mycoplasmas are known to secrete hetero- and homopolysaccharides, which play a role in host colonization through biofilm formation or immune evasion, for instance. This study explores how widespread the phenomenon of capsular homopolysaccharide secretion is within mycoplasmas, and investigates the diversity of both the molecules produced and the synthase-type glycosyltransferases responsible for their production. Fourteen strains representing 14 (sub)species from four types of hosts were tested in vitro for their polysaccharide secretion using both specific (immunodetection) and nonspecific (sugar dosage) assays. We evidenced

SUBMITTER: Vastel M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11658790 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature