Identification and characterization of two novel methyltransferase genes that determine the serotype 12-specific structure of glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium intracellulare.

ABSTRACT: The Mycobacterium avium complex is distributed ubiquitously in the environment. It is an important cause of pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases in humans and animals. The species in this complex produce polar glycopeptidolipids (GPLs); of particular interest is their serotype-specific antigenicity. Several reports have described that GPL structure may play an important role in bacterial physiology and pathogenesis and in the host immune response. Recently, we determined the complete structure of the GPL derived from Mycobacterium intracellulare serotype 7 and characterized the serotype 7 GPL-specific gene cluster. The structure of serotype 7 GPL closely resembles that of serotype 12 GPL, except for O methylation. In the present study, we isolated and characterized the serotype 12-specifi

SUBMITTER: Nakata N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2223587 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature