Structure-activity relationship of lipid A: comparison of biological activities of natural and synthetic lipid A's with different fatty acid compositions

To investigate the structure-activity relationships, various biological activities, including pyrogenicity, lethal toxicity, elicitation of Shwartzman reaction, mitogenicity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-inducing activity, were compared among natural and synthetic lipid A's differing in fatty acid composition. In all these tests, natural lipid A's from Escherichia coli and Salmonella minnesota and synthetic LA-15-PP, which carries 3-hydroxy- and 3-acyloxy-tetradecanoyl groups at the 2, 3 and 2', 3' positions, respectively, showed the strongest activities among the tested lipid A's. In contrast, LA-16-PP, in which the amide-bound 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid at position 2 of LA-15-PP is replaced by 3-hexadecanoyloxytetradecanoic acid, exhibited lower activity than LA-15-PP and natural lipid A's. Although LA-16-PP has been assumed to have a typical Salmonella lipid A structure (and, in fact, it has a structure corresponding to one of the components of Salmonella lipid A), the activity of this synthetic compound was not comparable to that of natural Salmonella lipid A. LA-17-PP, in which tetradecanoic acid is the sole fatty acid component, exhibited relatively strong mitogenicity and TNF-inducing activity, but very low pyrogenicity. The activities of LA-18-PP, which has ester-bound tetradecanoic acid and amide-bound 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid, were lower than those of LA-17-PP. The results indicate that the differences in fatty acid composition of lipid A's have important influences on the biological activities studied.     

Structural studies on the immunodominant group of lipid A from lipopolysaccharide of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.

Lipid A isolated from lipopolysaccharide of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis was used for immunization of rabbits to afford antisera to lipid A with titers of 1:640 in the passive hemolysis test. Exhaustion of immune serume with sheep erythrocytes decreased antibody titers up to 1:160. Authentic samples of 2-(DL-3-hydroxytetradecanoyl)amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate, 2-tetradecanoylamino-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose 6-phosphate have been synthesized in order to carry out a comparative study of inhibitory activity of these compounds and lipid A using a system of lipid A and antiserum to lipid A. As a result, the immunodominant moiety of the lipid A of Y. pseudotuberculosis proved to contain a D-glucosamine residue acylated with 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid at the amino group. The nature of the fatty acid acylating the amino group of glucosamine does not play an important role in the structure of immunodominant moiety of lipid A.     

Rabbit and human liver contain a novel pentacyclic triterpene ester with acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase inhibitory activity

Acyl-coenzyme A (CoA):cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) catalyzes the intracellular fatty acid esterification of cholesterol and is thought to play a key role in lipoprotein metabolism and atherogenesis. Herein we describe the purification and characterization of a novel pentacyclic triterpene ester from rabbit liver that has ACAT inhibitory activity. The inhibitor was purified by a combination of silicic acid chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. The compound inhibited both rabbit and rat liver microsomal ACAT activity with an IC50 = 20 microM. The lipid did not inhibit fatty acid incorporation into triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, or phospholipids nor did it inhibit plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. However, rat liver microsomal acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase activity was inhibited by the terpene ester. Kinetic data are consistent with a mechanism in which ACAT is inhibited by the compound in an irreversible manner. The subcellular fractionation pattern of both ACAT activity and the ACAT inhibitor were similar in rabbit liver (both were approximately equally distributed in membranes that pelleted at 10,000 X g and 100,000 X g). A lipid with similar properties to the rabbit liver inhibitor was found in many other rabbit tissues, including adrenal and spleen, as well as in human liver. Rat liver did not contain this lipid. Structural analysis by NMR, mass spectrometry, and x-ray crystallography indicated that the rabbit liver inhibitor was a fatty acid ester (mostly stearate) of a pentacyclic triterpene acid. The carbon skeleton of the triterpene moiety is a new member of the olean-12-ene triterpene family. Both the negatively charged carboxylic acid group of the triterpene moiety and the esterified fatty acid group were necessary for the ACAT-inhibitory activity of the triterpene ester. Lastly, we present preliminary data which, together with the structural homology of the rabbit triterpene with known plant compounds, suggest the hypothesis that the triterpene moiety of the rabbit ACAT inhibitor arises from dietary absorption of a plant triterpene.     

The influence of various lipids on the activity of bovine milk galactosyltransferase

Purified bovine milk galactosyltransferase was combined with liposomes of different lipid composition. The activity was markedly affected by the nature of the lipid used. Thus phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol stimulated the activity, while phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine inhibited the activity of the transferase. Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidic acid had identical fatty acid compositions, yet phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol stimulated the activity while phosphatidic acid inhibited the activity. The effect on the enzyme was probably related to the nature of the head group since the inhibition by phosphatidic acid could be converted to stimulation by methylating the phosphatidic acid. The properties of several of the head groups is discussed. The physical state of the lipid was shown to affect the activity markedly. When the enzyme was combined with dimyristylphosphatidylcholine the activity was markedly stimulated when the lipid was in the liquid-crystalline state i.e., above the phase transition.     

Bacterial endotoxin selectively prevents the expression of scavenger-receptor activity on human monocyte-macrophages

Concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as low as 1 ng/ml suppressed the activity of the scavenger receptor on cultured human monocyte-macrophages. In contrast, concentrations of LPS as high as 100 ng/ml had no effect on the activity of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. LPS and purified forms of the lipid A moiety of LPS were effective in suppressing scavenger receptor activity. However, acid hydrolysis of the labile phosphate group of the native diphosphorylated lipid A to form monophosphoryl lipid A rendered the molecule ineffective in suppressing scavenger receptor activity. LPS at a concentration of 100 ng/ml had no effect on the secretion of apolipoprotein E, phagocytic activity, tumoricidal activity, or the protein content of monocyte-macrophages. We conclude that the active component of LPS that mediates suppression of scavenger receptor activity is diphosphoryl lipid A.     

Stimulation of thiamine diphosphatase activity by ascorbic acid in rat brain microsomes.

The effect of ascorbic acid on microsomal thiamine diphosphatase activity in rat brain was examined. Ascorbic acid at 0.02--0.1 mM increased the thiamine diphosphatase activity by 20--600% and produced a significant amount of lipid peroxide, which was measured with thiobarbiturate under the same conditions as the enzyme. A lag period of about 10 min was observed in the process of stimulation of enzyme activity by ascorbic acid. The stimulation of enzyme activity and the lipid peroxidation induced by ascorbic acid were blocked by metal-binding compounds (EDTA, alpha,alpha'-dipyridyl, o-phenanthroline) and an antioxidant (N,N'-diphenyl p-phenylenediamine). GSH significantly enhanced the stimulation of enzyme activity and formation of lipid peroxide by 0.02--0.05 mM ascorbic acid. The effect of GSH was due in part to maintenance of the concentration of ascorbic acid in the medium, since GSH could convert dehydroascorbic acid, an oxidized form of ascorbic acid, to ascorbic acid.     

Structural characterization of the lipid A component of Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild-type and rough mutant lipopolysaccharides

The structure of the lipid A component of lipopolysaccharides isolated from two wild-type strains (Fisher 2 and 7) and one rough mutant (PAC 605) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated using chemical analysis, methylation analysis, combined gas-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, laser-desorption mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The lipid A backbone was found to consist of a pyranosidic beta 1,6-linked D-glucosamine disaccharide [beta-D-GlcpN-(1----6)-D-GlcpN], phosphorylated in positions 4' and 1. Position 6' of the beta-D-GlcpN-(1----6)-D-GlcpN disaccharide was identified as the attachment site of the core oligosaccharide and the hydroxyl group at C-4 was not substituted. Lipid A of the three P. aeruginosa strains expressed heterogeneity with regard to the degree of acylation: a hexaacyl as well as a pentaacyl component were structurally characterized. The hexaacyl lipid A contains two amide-bound 3-O-acylated (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid groups [12:0(3-OH)] at positions 2 and 2' of the GlcN dissacharide and two ester-bound (R)-3-hydroxydecanoic acid groups [10:0(3-OH)] at positions 3 and 3'. The pentaacyl species, which represents the major lipid A component, lacks one 10:0(3-OH) residue, the hydroxyl group in position 3 of the reducing GlcN residue being free. In both hexa- and pentaacyl lipid A the 3-hydroxyl group of the two amide-linked 12:0(3-OH) residues are acylated by either dodecanoic (12:0) or (S)-2-hydroxydodecanoic acid [12:0(2-OH)], the lipid A species with two 12:0(2-OH) residues, however, being absent. The presence of only five acyl residues in the major lipid A fraction may account for the low endotoxic activity observed with P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide.     

Reconstitution of the lipid-depleted pyruvate oxidase system of Escherichia coli: the palmitic acid effect

Previous work has shown that the coupling of the soluble Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase to a lipid-depleted membrane terminal electron transport system requires the addition of ubiquinone and a neutral lipid fraction (C. Cunningham and L. P. Hager (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 7139-7146). The active factor present in the neutral lipid fraction has now been isolated and characterized. NMR, uv, and mass spectroscopic analysis identifies palmitic acid as the active component. A comparison of palmitic acid with other fatty acids of varying chain lengths indicates that most fatty acids having chain lengths in the range C12 to C20 have comparable activity to palmitic acid. Exceptions are stearic and arachidic acid which have greatly reduced activity. Fatty acids of C6 to C10 chain length showed about one third the activity of palmitic acid. Fatty acids having chain lengths of 2 to 5 carbon atoms are essentially inactive. The carboxyl function of the fatty acid is required for activity. Derivatives of fatty acids in which the carboxyl group had been modified to an alcohol, aldehyde, or methyl ester function show greatly diminished activity. Both the cis and trans forms of unsaturated long-chain fatty acids are active. The stimulation of the electron transfer reaction by fatty acids occurs at the ubiquinone level of the electron transport chain. Ubiquinone-30 is rapidly reduced by pyruvate oxidase only in the presence of palmitic acid.     

黑水虻幼虫粉对凡纳滨对虾生长、免疫和脂质代谢的影响

试验旨在研究黑水虻Hermetia illucens幼虫粉替代鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾Litopenaeus vannamei生长性能、非特异性免疫和脂质代谢的影响。以黑水虻幼虫粉分别替代对照组饲料(FM)中10%(BSF10)、20%(BSF20)和30%(BSF30)的鱼粉蛋白质,共配制为四组等氮等脂的实验饲料,饲喂初始体质量为(0.88±0.01) g的凡纳滨对虾7周。结果显示, BSF10组和BSF20组对虾的生长性能与对照组相比无显著变化(P>0.05),但BSF30组对虾的生长性能显著降低(P<0.05)。与对照组相比, BSF20组和BSF30组对虾的全虾粗脂肪含量显著降低,BSF30组对虾血淋巴甘油三酯和总胆固醇水平显著降低(P<0.05),但肝胰腺粗脂肪水平无显著差异(P>0.05)。BSF10、BSF20和BSF30组对虾血淋巴谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。BSF10组对虾超氧化物歧化酶活性显著高于对照组, BSF20组对虾总抗氧化能力显著高于其余各组(P<0.05)。BSF30组对虾肝胰腺酸性磷酸酶和碱性磷酸...     

葡萄糖和维生素C对普安银鲫卵黄囊仔鱼ACC、FAS及CPTⅠ活性的影响

本试验旨在探究普安银鲫(Carassius auratus )卵黄囊仔鱼发育过程中ACC、FAS及CPT I活性变化及葡萄糖和维生素C溶液分别浸泡对它们的影响。采用酶学方法研究了普安银鲫卵黄囊仔鱼过程中ACC、FAS及CPT I活性变化的变化特点。结果显示：在卵黄囊仔鱼发育过程中,对照组与维生素C组中ACC和FAS活性呈上升趋势,CPT I活性呈“下降-上升”变化趋势,而葡萄糖组ACC、FAS及CPT I活性均呈上升趋势,且3种酶的活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。维生素C组ACC活性在内源营养期显著高于对照组,FAS活性在混合营养期和外源营养期显著高于对照组,CPT I活性在内源营养期和外源营养期显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。研究表明：ACC、FAS及CPT I在维持普安银鲫卵黄囊仔鱼发育中脂质代谢的动态平衡起着重要作用,15g/L的葡萄糖溶液可通过调节仔鱼体内脂质代谢酶的活性而形成新的脂质代谢水平,以满足仔鱼生长发育需要;而30mg/L的维生素C对维持仔鱼发育中体内正常的脂质代谢具有重要作用。     

Structural characterization of the lipid A component of Helicobacter pylori rough- and smooth-form lipopolysaccharides.

The chemical structure of free lipid A isolated from rough- and smooth-form lipopolysaccharides (R-LPS and S-LPS, respectively) of the human gastroduodenal pathogen Helicobacter pylori was elucidated by compositional and degradative analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The predominant molecular species in both lipid A components are identical and tetraacylated, but a second molecular species which is hexaacylated is also present in lipid A from S-LPS. Despite differences in substitution by acyl chains, the hydrophilic backbone of the molecules consisted of beta(1,6)-linked D-glucosamine (GlcN) disaccharide 1-phosphate. Because of microheterogeneity, nonstoichiometric amounts of ethanolamine-phosphate were also linked to the glycosidic hydroxyl group. In S-LPS, but not in R-LPS, the hydroxyl group at position 4' was partially substituted by another phosphate group. Considerable variation in the distribution of fatty acids on the lipid A backbone was revealed by laser desorption mass spectrometry. In tetraacyl lipid A, the amino group of the reducing GlcN carried (R)-3-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid (position 2), that of the nonreducing GlcN carried (R)-3-(octadecanoyloxy)octadecanoic acid (position 2'), and ester-bound (R)-3-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid was attached at position 3. Hexaacyl lipid A had a similar substitution by fatty acids, but in addition, ester-bound (R)-3-(dodecanoyloxy)hexadecanoic acid or (R)-3(tetradecanoyloxy)hexadecanoic acid was attached at position 3'. The predominant absence of ester-bound 4'-phosphate and the presence of tetraacyl lipid A with fatty acids of 16 to 18 carbons in length differentiate H. pylori lipid A from that of other bacterial species and help explain the low endotoxic and biological activities of H. pylori LPS.     

Structural heterogeneity regarding local Shwartzman activity of lipid A

The relation of chemical structure to local Shwartzman activity of lipid A preparations purified by thin-layer chromatography from five bacterial strains was examined. Two lipid A fractions from E. coli F515--Ec-A2 and Ec-A3--exhibited strong activity, similar to that of previous synthetic E. coli-type lipid A (compound 506 or LA-15-PP). The Ec-A3 fraction contained a component that appeared to be structurally identical to compound 506, and the main component of Ec-A2 fraction was structurally similar to compound 506 except that it carried a 3-hydroxytetradecanoyl group at the C-3' position of the backbone in place of a 3-tetradecanoyloxytetradecanoyl group. Free lipid A (12 C) and purified lipid A fractions, Ec-A2 (12 C) and Ec-A3 (12 C), respectively, obtained from bacteria grown at 12 C, exhibited activity comparable to Ec-A2 or Ec-A3. In these preparations, a large part of the 3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoyl group might be replaced by 3-hexadecenoyloxytetradecanoyl group. Salmonella minnesota R595 free lipid A also contained at least two active lipid A components as seen in E. coli lipid A, but the third component corresponding to the synthetic Salmonella-type lipid A (compound 516 or LA-16-PP) exhibited low activity. A lipid A fraction, Cv-A4 from Chromobacterium violaceum IFO 12614, which was proposed to have two acyloxyacyl groups at the C-2 and C-2' positions with other acyl groups, exhibited weaker activity than the free lipid A or LPS. The purified lipid A fractions from Pseudomonas diminuta JCM 2788 and Pseudomonas vesicularis JCM 1477 contained an unusual backbone with 2,3-diamino-2,3-dideoxy-D-glucose disaccharide phosphomonoester, and these lipid A (Pd-A3 and Pv-A3) exhibited strong activity comparable to the E. coli lipid A. Thus, the present results show that the local Shwartzman reaction can be expressed by partly different lipid A structures in both hydrophilic backbone and fatty acyl residues; when they have the same backbone the potency varies markedly depending on the structure of the acyl residues.     

Synthesis of lipid A monosaccharide analogues containing acidic amino acid: exploring the structural basis for the endotoxic and antagonistic activities

For elucidation of the structural and conformational requirements on the endotoxic and antagonistic activity of lipid A derivatives, we designed and synthesized lipid A analogues containing acidic amino acid residues in place of the non-reducing end phosphorylated glucosamine. Definite switching of the endotoxic or antagonistic activity was observed depending on the difference of the acidic groups (phosphoric acid or carboxylic acid) in the lipid A analogues.     

Stimulation of thiamine diphosphate activity by ascorbic acid in rat brain microsomes

The effect of ascorbic acid on microsomal thiamine diphosphate activity in rat brain was examined. Ascorbic acid at 0.02–0.1 mM increased the thiamine diphosphate activity by 20–600% and produced a significant amount of lipid peroxide, which was measured with thiobarbiturate under the same conditions as the enzyme. A lag period of about 10 min was observed in the process of stimulation of enzyme activity by ascorbic acid. The stimulation of enzyme activity and the lipid peroxidation induced by ascorbic acid were blocked by metal-binding compounds (EDTA, α,α′-dipyridyl, o-phenanthroline) and an antioxidant (N,N′-diphenyl p-phenylenediamine). GSH significantly enhanced the stimulation of enzyme activity and formation of lipid peroxide by 0.02–0.05 mM ascorbic acid. The effect of GSH was due in part to maintenance of the concentration of ascorbic acid in the medium, since GSH could convert dehydroascorbic acid, an oxidized form of ascorbic acid, to ascorbic acid.     

Modulation of phospholipase A2 by electrostatic fields and dipole potential of glycosphingolipids in monolayers

Phospholipase A2 activity against mixed monolayers of dilauroylphosphatidic acid or dilauroylphosphatidylcholine with glycosphingolipids can be reversibly modulated by external constant electrostatic fields. The changes of enzymatic activity are correlated to the depolarization or hyperpolarization of the film caused by specific dipolar properties of glycosphingolipids. Hyperpolarizing fields enhance the enzymatic activity against pure dilauroylphosphatidic acid while depolarizing fields induce a decrease of activity. Compared to the pure substrate, the interface of mixed films containing neutral glycosphingolipids or gangliosides is already partially depolarized and the magnitude of activation induced by an external hyperpolarizing field is decreased; conversely, depolarizing fields cause an increased inhibition of activity. Differing from gangliosides, sulfatides bring about a hyperpolarization of the mixed lipid monolayer and external hyperpolarizing or depolarizing fields cause enhanced activation and reduced inhibition, respectively. The effects of glycosphingolipids depend on their relative proportion in the monolayer. Results were similar with dilauroylphosphosphatidylcholine but the field effects were less than half of those found with dilauroylphosphatidic acid. Our work shows that the activity of phospholipase A2 in addition to responding reversibly to external electrostatic fields, is directly modulated by the polarity and magnitude of the lipid polar head group dipole moments.     

Antioxidant effect of vegetable oils containing conjugated linolenic acid isomers against induced tissue lipid peroxidation and inflammation in rat model

The purpose of the present study was to examine the antioxidant activity of two typical oils obtained from two vegetables, bitter gourd seed and snake gourd seed, containing two different isomers of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) against oxidative stress induced by sodium arsenite in relation to tissue lipid peroxidation and inflammation. Male albino rats were taken as subject and divided into six groups: Group 1 was control and Group 2 was treated with sodium arsenite (Sa; 10mg/Kg BW); Groups 3-6 were orally treated with different doses of seed oils maintaining definite concentration of CLnA isomers (0.5% and 1.0% of total lipid for each CLnA isomer) along with sodium arsenite. There was significant increase in lipid peroxidation, pro-oxidant enzyme activity and decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity in brain due to Sa administration. Decrease in total protein content was also observed in plasma, liver and brain of Sa treated group. Significant decrease in phospholipid content and increase in total lipid content and cholesterol content were observed in arsenite treated group. There was significant increase in relative organ weight of liver due to Sa administration. Fatty acid profile of liver and brain lipid shows significant (P<0.05) reduction in most of the polyunsaturated fatty acids and increase in arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) (75.23%) due to inflammation after arsenite treatment. Administration of experimental oils made almost complete restoration of those altered parameters. Overall, these two oils were effective in protecting tissue lipid profiles which were altered due to oxidative stress.     

Structural regions of MD-2 that determine the agonist-antagonist activity of lipid IVa

A cell surface receptor complex consisting of CD14, Toll-like receptor (TLR4), and MD-2 recognizes lipid A, the active moiety of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Escherichia coli-type lipid A, a typical lipid A molecule, potently activates both human and mouse macrophage cells, whereas the lipid A precursor, lipid IVa, activates mouse macrophages but is inactive and acts as an LPS antagonist in human macrophages. This animal species-specific activity of lipid IVa involves the species differences in MD-2 structure. We explored the structural region of MD-2 that determines the agonistic and antagonistic activities of lipid IVa to induce nuclear factor-kappaB activation. By expressing human/mouse chimeric MD-2 together with mouse CD14 and TLR4 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, we found that amino acid regions 57-79 and 108-135 of MD-2 determine the species-specific activity of lipid IVa. We also showed that the replacement of Thr(57), Val(61), and Glu(122) of mouse MD-2 with corresponding human MD-2 sequence or alanines impaired the agonistic activity of lipid IVa, and antagonistic activity became evident. These mutations did not affect the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB, TLR4 oligomerization, and inducible phosphorylation of IkappaBalpha in response to E. coli-type lipid A. These results indicate that amino acid residues 57, 61, and 122 of mouse MD-2 are critical to determine the agonist-antagonist activity of lipid IVa and suggest that these amino acid residues may be involved in the discrimination of lipid A structure.     

Lipid mobilization and acid phosphatase activity in lytic compartments during conidium dormancy and appressorium formation of Colletotrichum graminicola

Colletotrichum graminicola, a pathogen of sorghum and corn, was investigated prior and during germination as to certain aspects of acid phosphatase activity and lipid mobilization. Ungerminated conidia cytoplasm was filled with lipid deposits, which were mobilized during the germination process. Cytochemical ultrastructural examination showed that conidia vacuoles exhibit acid phosphatase activity, which is suggestive of lytic activity. Lipid bodies, stored in the ungerminated conidia cytoplasm, were internalized by vacuoles in a process analogous to microautophagy and were apparently digested inside them. The lipid bodies disappeared and vacuoles became enlarged in conidial cells during germination. Appressoria also showed acid phosphatase activity in multiple heterogeneous vesicles which were, in most cases, juxtaposed with lipid bodies. These results suggest that the vacuolar system plays an important role during C. graminicola germination and that the initial stages of lipid metabolization are taking place inside the vacuoles.     

Membrane deterioration in senescing carnation flowers : coordinated effects of phospholipid degradation and the action of membranous lipoxygenase

The lipid fluidity of microsomal membranes from the petals of cut carnation flowers decreases as the flowers senesce. A comparable change in fluidity was induced by in vitro aging of microsomal membranes from young flowers under conditions in which membranous lipoxygenase-like activity was active. There was no change in fluidity when the membranes were aged in the presence of inhibitors of lipoxygenase or were heat-denatured prior to aging. Membranes from naturally senesced flowers and membranes that had been aged in vitro both sustained an increase in saturated:unsaturated fatty acid ratio that accounted for the decrease in lipid fluidity, and in both instances there was evidence for depletion of the unsaturated fatty acids, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid, which are substrates for lipoxygenase. Loss of lipid phosphate reflecting breakdown of membrane phospholipids preceded the depletion of unsaturated fatty acids attributable to the lipoxygenase-like activity. The data have been interpreted as indicating that fatty acid substrates for membrane-associated lipoxygenase-like activity are made available by the initiation of phospholipid degradation, and that the utilization of these substrates results in a selective depletion of unsaturated fatty acids from the membrane and an ensuing decrease in bulk lipid fluidity.     

Structural characterization of lipid A component of Erwinia carotovora lipopolysaccharide

The chemical structure of the lipid A component of lipopolysaccharide excreted into the liquid medium by the plant pathogenic enterobacterium Erwinia carotovora FERM P-7576 was characterized. It consists of a -1, 6-linked glucosamine disaccharide which carries ester-and amide-bound fatty acids and phosphate similar to the lipid A from other gram-negative bacteria. The lipid A preparation was not uniform in the number and composition of the fatty acids linked to the disaccharide. Four prominent lipids A were involved, they were composed of five to seven residues of fatty acid. Among them the major component was hexa-acyl lipid A, in which the hydroxyl group at position 3 and the amino group of the non-reducing glucosamine unit carry 3-dodecanoyl-oxytetradecanoyl residues. Positions 2 and 3 of the reducing glucosamine unit were substituted by 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid. In the hepta-acyl lipid A, an additional hexadecanoic acid was linked to the hydroxyl group of the 3-hydroxytetradecanoyl residue at position 2 of the hexa-acyl lipid A. Two penta-acyl lipids A were the homologs of the hexa-acyl lipid A with decreasing acylation. Dodecanoic acid was missing from one, and 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid from another. 3-Dodecanoyloxytetradecanoyl residue at position 3 differentiates E. carotovora lipid A from that of other gram-negative bacteria.Abbreviations LPS lipopolysaccharide - GlcN glucosamine - KDO 3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid - FAB-MS fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry - u atomic mass unit