biostudies-literatureKunoh TMEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agencye0191922https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10132092biostudies-literatureUnknown89(4)The bacterium Leptothrix cholodnii generates cell chains encased in sheaths that are composed of woven nanofibrils. The nanofibrils are mainly composed of glycoconjugate repeats, and several glycosyltransferases (GTs) are required for its biosynthesis. However, only one GT (LthA) has been identified to date. In this study, we screened spontaneous variants of <i>L. cholodnii</i> SP6 to find those that form smooth colonies, which is one of the characteristics of sheathless variants. Genomic DNA sequencing of an isolated variant revealed an insertion in the locus <i>Lcho_0972</i>, which encodes a putative GT family 8 protein. We thus designated this protein LthB and characterized it using deletion mutants and antibodies. LthB localized adjacent to the cell envelope. Δ<i>lthB</i> cell chains wApplied and environmental microbiologyIdentification of <i>lthB</i>, a Gene Encoding a Putative Glycosyltransferase Family 8 Protein Required for <i>Leptothrix</i> Sheath Formation.PMC10132092JPMJER1502JPMJMI21G8Takeda MNomura NSugimoto SYamamoto TOno EUtada ASTakabe KKunoh TfalseIdentification of <i>lthB</i>, a Gene Encoding a Putative Glycosyltransferase Family 8 Protein Required for <i>Leptothrix</i> Sheath Formation.The bacterium Leptothrix cholodnii generates cell chains encased in sheaths that are composed of woven nanofibrils. The nanofibrils are mainly composed of glycoconjugate repeats, and several glycosyltransferases (GTs) are required for its biosynthesis. However, only one GT (LthA) has been identified to date. In this study, we screened spontaneous variants of <i>L. cholodnii</i> SP6 to find those that form smooth colonies, which is one of the characteristics of sheathless variants. Genomic DNA sequencing of an isolated variant revealed an insertion in the locus <i>Lcho_0972</i>, which encodes a putative GT family 8 protein. We thus designated this protein LthB and characterized it using deletion mutants and antibodies. LthB localized adjacent to the cell envelope. Δ<i>lthB</i> cell chains w2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Apr2026-06-16T06:49:55.792Z2024-11-12T23:59:51.984ZS-EPMC101320923695157210.1128/aem.01919-22