Unique lipid anchor attaches Vi antigen capsule to the surface of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi.

ABSTRACT: Polysaccharide capsules are surface structures that are critical for the virulence of many Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is the etiological agent of typhoid fever. It produces a capsular polysaccharide known as "Vi antigen," which is composed of nonstoichiometrically O-acetylated α-1,4-linked N-acetylgalactosaminuronic acid residues. This glycan is a component of currently available vaccines. The genetic locus for Vi antigen production is also present in soil bacteria belonging to the genus Achromobacter Vi antigen assembly follows a widespread general strategy with a characteristic glycan export step involving an ATP-binding cassette transporter. However, Vi antigen producers lack the enzymes that build the conserved terminal glycolipid characterizin

SUBMITTER: Liston SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4914157 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature