Novel rhamnosyltransferase involved in biosynthesis of serovar 4-specific glycopeptidolipid from Mycobacterium avium complex.

ABSTRACT: Glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) are one of the major glycolipid components present on the surface of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) that belong to opportunistic pathogens distributed in the natural environment. The serovars of MAC, up to around 30 types, are defined by the variable oligosaccharide portions of the GPLs. Epidemiological studies show that serovar 4 is the most prevalent type, and the prognosis of pulmonary disease caused by serovar 4 is significantly worse than that caused by other serovars. However, little is known about the biosynthesis of serovar 4-specific GPL, particularly the formation of the oligosaccharide portion that determines the properties of serovar 4. To investigate the biosynthesis of serovar 4-specific GPL, we focused on one segment that included functionally un

SUBMITTER: Miyamoto Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2953690 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature