Dual glycosylation of wall teichoic acid modulates the O-antigen pattern and virulence in serovar 4b <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>.

ABSTRACT: Among the 14 serovars of Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), serovar 4b strains are the most predominant isolates linked to human listeriosis outbreaks-a phenotype associated with their unique wall teichoic acid (WTA) decorated with galactose (Gal) and glucose (Glu). A wealth of knowledge is available for galactosylated-WTA (Gal-WTA) manipulating bacterial homeostasis and virulence, whereas the relationship between glucosylated-WTA (Glu-WTA) and Gal-WTA in listerial physiology and pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we find that Glu-WTA and Gal-WTA jointly constitute the O-antigen pattern of serovar 4b Lm; however, Glu-WTA specifically serves as the indispensable ligand for listeriophage LP4 adsorption. Moreover, the co-operation between Glu- and Gal-WTA increases biofilm formation and bac

SUBMITTER: Yao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12754626 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature