Synthesis of a repeating unit and the dimer of the repeating unit of the major chain of Shigella flexneri O-antigen polysaccharide

Methyl glycoside of the tetrasaccharide GlcNAc(beta 1-2)Rha(alpha 1-2)Rha(alpha 1-3)Rha, which represents a repeating unit of the basic chain of Shigella flexneri O-antigenic polysaccharides, was synthesized using acylated monosaccharide synthons. A dimer of the repeating unit, octasaccharide [GlcNAc(beta 1-2)Rha(alpha 1-2) Rha(alpha 1-3)Rha(alpha 1-3)]2-OMe was obtained by TrClO4-catalyzed condensation of two tetrasaccharide blocks.     

O-specific L-hapten in the composition of Shigella sonnei

Along with classical lipopolysaccharide (LPS), O-specific material not precipitated by ultracentrifugation has been isolated from the water-phenol extract of S. sonnei avirulent strain 9090 possessing complete antigenic properties. The purification of O-antigen contained in the supernatant fluid has been carried out by the gel filtration of the fluid, previously treated with ribonuclease, in a column packed with Sephadex G-100. The polysaccharide nature of O-antigen thus obtained, the absence of lipid A and KDO and the low content of hexoses, or core-specific saccharides of S. sonnei LPS, in this antigen make it possible to classify this material with O-components of microbial cells, described by different authors as "native protoplasmic polysaccharide" or "L-hapten" and formed by polymers of LPS O-side chains. The content of this component in S. sonnei strains under study is, on the average, 2.5% of the weight of dry microbial substance. L-hapten preparations obtained in the course of our investigations have been found to contain two O-specific antigens detected by immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion, as well as by sedimentation in saccharose gradient, where they form peaks corresponding to 4.3 S and 10.8 S. This polysaccharide O-antigen is supposed to be capable of interaction with ribosomal particles and suitable for use as a component of ribosomal dysentery vaccines.     

The Shigella flexneri O-antigenic polysaccharide chain. Nature of the biological repeating unit

The sequence of monosaccharides in the biological repeating tetrasaccharide unit of Shigella flexneri variant Y O-antigenic polysaccharide chain was determined by subjecting three oligosaccharides of the polysaccharide, obtained by phage-Sf6-mediated enzymatic hydrolysis, to methylation analysis and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The smallest saccharide was shown to be a tetrasaccharide with the structure alpha-L-Rhap-(1-2)-L-Rha. The next saccharide, an octasaccharide, was shown to be a dimer of the tetrasaccharide with the L-Rha residues linked alpha 1.3. The longest saccharide was shown to be a decasaccharide with the following structure: alpha-L-Rhap-(1-2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1- 3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-2)-alpha-L-Rhap++ + +-(1-3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-3)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-2)-alpha-L-R hap-(1-2)-L-Rha. Thus the decasaccharide differed from the octasaccharide and tetrasaccharide by having the alpha-L-Rhap-(1-2)-L-Rhap disaccharide added in the terminal non-reducing end of the saccharide chain. This shows that the alpha-L-Rhap-(1-2)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1- 3)-D-GlcpNAc tetrasaccharide is the biological repeating unit of the O chain and that the repeating units are joined through a beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1-2)-L-Rhap linkage. Inhibition experiments utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with S. flexneri Y lipopolysaccharide/S. flexneri Y rabbit antiserum showed that the decasaccharide was the best inhibitor (threefold as active as the octasaccharide and sixtyfold as active as the tetrasaccharide); this supports the postulated structure of the biological repeating unit.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharide fragments of the repeating unit of Salmonella kentucky O-specific polysaccharide and conversion of the oligosaccharides into the glycosyl phosphates

alpha-D-Man-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man-(1----3)-D-Gal, a structural fragment of the main chain of Salmonella serogroups C2 and C3 O-specific polysaccharides, and the isomer with the central residue beta have been synthesised, as have some oligosaccharides related to the structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of S. kentucky (serogroup C3), namely, alpha-D-Glc-(1----4)-D-Gal, alpha-D-Man-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Glc-(1----4)]-D-Gal, and alpha-D-Man-(1----2)-alpha-D-Man-(1----3)-[alpha-D-Glc-(1----4)]-D-Gal, and the isomers with the D-Glc unit beta. Each oligosaccharide was converted into the alpha-glycosyl phosphate.     

Structure of the repeating chain of the O-specific polysaccharide of Vibrio fluvialis

O-Specific polysaccharide chain of the Vibrio fluvialis lipopolysaccharide is built up of pentasaccharide repeating units, containing one N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and four L-rhamnose residues. The structure of the polysaccharide was elucidated using two-dimensional correlation 1H-NMR-spectroscopy, 13C-NMR-spectroscopy and nuclear Overhauser effect and confirmed by methylation analysis and selective cleavage of N-acetylglucosamine residues by the N-deacetylation-deamination method which yielded linear L-rhamnan representing the backbone of the polysaccharide. Thus, the repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide has the following structure: (formula; see text)     

Somatic antigens of Shigella and Escherichia coli. Determination of the structure of O-specific polysaccharide from Shigella boydii type 12 and its serological properties compared with the O-specific polysaccharide from Escherichia coli

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide of the somatic antigen (lipopolysaccharide) of Shigella boydii, type 12, was established by 1H- and 13C-NMR, methylation analysis and partial acid hydrolysis methods. The polysaccharide consists of pentasaccharide repeating units of the following structure: (formula; see text) The amount of O-acetyl groups was far less than stoichiometric, only about 2 for 3-4 repeating units. Nevertheless, the results of serological studies revealed 3-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnose residue to be the major immunodominant group. In spite of the presence of similar trisaccharide fragments, the lipopolysaccharide and polysaccharide from Shigella boydii type 12 gave no crossreaction with lipopolysaccharide and polysaccharide from Escherichia coli 07. The possible reasons of the absence of serological relatedness between the Sh. boydii, type 12, and E. coli 07 cells were discussed.     

Structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chain of Shigella dysenteriae type 7 lipopolysaccharide

The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chain of the Shigella dysenteriae type 7 lipopolysaccharide has been established mainly by 13C NMR analysis of the intact and modified (acetylated and de-O-acetylated) polymers, as well as of products of its solvolysis with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride. The polysaccharide contains two unusual sugar derivatives. N-acetyl-D-galactosaminuronamide and 4-(N-acetylglycyl)amido-4,6-dideoxy-D-glucose (GalNAcAN and Qui4N----GlyAc, respectively) and is built up of tetrasaccharide repeating units of the following structure: (Formula: see text). Serological cross-reaction of S. dysenteriae type 7 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa O4 (Lányl) is accounted for by the similarity of their O-specific polysaccharides.     

Structure of the repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide of Yersinia kristensenii strain 490 (O:12,25).

The O-specific polysaccharide isolated by mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Y. kristensenii strain 490 (O:12,25) contained D-glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-L-galactose, glycerol, and phosphate in the ratios 2:2:1:1:1:1. On the basis of 31P- and 13C-n.m.r. data, methylation analysis, dephosphorylation, solvolysis with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, and Smith degradation, it was concluded that the repeating unit of the polysaccharide was a branched hexaosylglycerol phosphate with the following structure. [formula: see text]     

O-Acetylation in the O-specific polysaccharide isolated from Shigella flexneri serotype 2a

Shigella flexneri causes diarrheal diseases especially in infants and children in developing countries. Modifications of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule, like bacteriophage-mediated glucosylation and acetylation of the O-specific chain (O-SP), are important for the LPS antigenicity and consequently for the immunogenicity of the polysaccharide-based vaccines against shigellosis. Here, we report the degree of O-acetylation and the localisation of O-acetyl groups and side-chain glucose substitution in the O-SP (scheme) in different preparations of S. flexneri type 2a LPS. [structure: see text]     

Synthesis of the tetrasaccharide related to the repeating unit of the antigen from Shigella dysenteriae type 5

Starting from L-rhamnose, D-mannose and 2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose hydrochloride, two disaccharide blocks, namely, ethyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[(R)-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranos yl-(1-->3)-2-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)-4,6-di-O-benzy l-2-deoxy-2-phthalimido-beta-D-glucopyranoside, were synthesised and then allowed to react in the presence of N-iodosuccinimide and trifluoromethane sulfonic acid to give a tetrasaccharide derivative. This compound was converted into 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl 2,4-di-O-benzyl-3-O-[(R)-1-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-alpha-L-rhamno- pyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-O-acetyl-4,6-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-- >4)-2-O-acetyl-3,6-di-O-benzyl-alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->3)-2-acetamid o-4,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which on hydrogenolysis, afforded the methyl ester 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl glycoside of the tetrasaccharide related to the repeating unit of the O-antigen from Shigella dysenteriae type 5.     

Antigenic determinants of bacteria. The structure of the repeating unit of a specific polysaccharide from Shigella boydii type 7

Acid hydrolysis of the antigenic lipopolysaccharide from Shigella boydii type 7 afforded a specific polysaccharide composed of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, D-glucose, D-galactose, 5-acetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-7-[(3R)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-L- glycero-L-manno-nonulosonic acid (NonN2A) and acetic acid residues in the 1:1:2:1:1 ratio. From the results of methylation analysis, hydrogen fluoride solvolysis and Smith degradation, the structure of the repeating unit of the specific polysaccharide was dedused as: -2) Galf (beta 1-3)GlcNAcp (alpha 1-8)NonN2A (beta 2-6) Galp (alpha 1-6) Glcp (alpha 1-4 increases Ac. The 13C NMR spectrum of the polysaccharide was interpreted, and the spectral data fully confirmed the structure of the polysaccharide repeating unit.     

The immunogenic and serological properties of the O-specific polysaccharide (L-hapten) in Shigella]

O-specific polysaccharide (L-hapten) was isolated earlier (Zh. mikrobiol. epidemiol. immunobiol., 1989, No. 11, pp. 8-11). In this paper L-hapten was shown to be unable, even at high concentrations (up to 2,000 micrograms/ml), to sensitize sheep red blood cells for passive hemagglutination by O-antibodies. At the same time classical LPS and heat-activated LPS were active at concentrations ot 32 and 8 micrograms/ml respectively. The O-antibody-neutralizing activity of L-hapten was lower than that of LPS 10(3)-10(4) times in the passive hemagglutination test and 25-50 times in competitive ELISA. The immunogenicity of isolated L-hapten was very weak: primary response in mice to the i.v. injection of 1-10 micrograms of L-hapten was similar to the effect produced by 10(-3)-10(-4) micrograms of LPS. No protective activity of L-hapten was noted in mice when the challenge dose of virulent shigellae was 16 LD50 or more, and only a weak protective effect was observed with a low challenge dose (8 LD50). The molecular basis of low serological and biological activity of L-hapten is discussed. The most probable explanation of the results obtained in this study is that L-hapten contains some nonspecific carbohydrates, inserted in or complexed with the O-side chain. Despite its low immunogenicity, L-hapten can be an important component of effective bacterial vaccines provided it is included into a suitable delivery system as is the case with Shigella ribosomal vaccine.     

Somatic antigens of Shigella. Structural investigation on the O-specific polysaccharide chain of Shigella dysenteriae type-2 lipopolysaccharide.

The O-specific polysaccharide obtained from Shigella dysenteriae type-2 lipopolysaccharide by mild acid hydrolysis consisted of N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, D-galactose, D-glucose, and O-acetyl group in the ratio of 2:1:1:1:1. A number of oligosaccharides were obtained by deamination of the N-deacetylated polysaccharide and by Smith degradation of the both native and O-deacetylated polysaccharides. The identification of oligosaccharides along with methylation analysis and chromic anhydride oxidation showed that the polysaccharide was built up of the repeating pentasaccharide units whose proposed structure is given below: (see article) Serological properties of Sh. dysenteriae O-specific polysaccharides are discussed.     

Synthesis of oligosaccharides related to the repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide from Streptococcus pneumoniae type 37

A tetra- and a pentasaccharide were synthesized as analogues to the structure of the Streptococcus pneumoniae type 37 capsular polysaccharide, a homopolymer with a disaccharide-repeating unit of -->3)[beta-D-Glcp-(1-->2)]-beta-D-Glcp-(1-->. Synthesis of the tetrasaccharide employed a beta-(1-->2)-diglycosylation of a beta-(1-->3)-linked disaccharide. Subsequently, the pentasaccharide was synthesized from a suitably protected tetrasaccharide derivative by a beta-(1-->3)-extension at O-3'. Steric crowding was found to be an important factor in the formation of the pentasaccharide.     

Acid tolerance of Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri

AIMS: Determination of the behaviour of Shigella sonnei and Sh. flexneri under acid conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: The growth and survival of Shigella spp. (9 isolates) in acidified Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) (pH 5.0-3.25 with pH intervals of 0.25) was determined after 6, 24 and 30 h incubation at 37 degrees C. Subsequently, survival of shigellae was studied in apple juice and tomato juice stored at 7 degrees C and 22 degrees C for up to 14 days and in strawberries and a fresh fruit salad, kept at 4 degrees C for 4 and 48 h. CONCLUSIONS: The minimum pH for growth in acidified BHI for Sh. flexneri and Sh. sonnei was, respectively, pH 4.75 and pH 4.50. Survival in fruit juices and fresh fruits depended upon their pH, the type of strain and the incubation temperature. Shigella spp. Survived for up to 14 days in tomato juice and apple juice stored at 7 degrees C. The shortest survival time (2-8 d) was observed in apple juice at 22 degrees C. Sh. sonnei but not Sh. flexneri was recovered after 48 h from strawberries and fruit salad kept at 4 degrees C. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Acid foods, especially if kept at refrigeration temperatures, support survival of Shigella spp. and may cause Shigella food poisoning.     

Synthesis of a spacer-containing repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23F.

The synthesis is reported of 3-aminopropyl 4-O-(4-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-D- galactopyranosyl)-beta-L-rhamnopyranoside 3'-(glycer-2-yl sodium phosphate) (25 beta), which represents the repeating unit of the capsular polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 23F (American type 23) [(----4)-beta-D-Glcp-(1----4)-[Glycerol-(2-P----3)] [alpha-L- Rhap-(1----2)]-beta-D-Galp-(1----4)-beta-L-Rhap-(1----)n). 2,4,6-Tri-O-acetyl-3-O-allyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (5) was coupled with ethyl 2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6). Deacetylation of the resulting disaccharide derivative, followed by benzylidenation, and condensation with 2,3,4-trio-O-acetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (10) afforded ethyl 4-O-[3-O-allyl-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-O-(2,3,4-trio-O-acetyl- alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio - alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (11). Deacetylation of 11, followed by benzylation, selective benzylidene ring-opening, and coupling with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (15) gave ethyl 4-O-[3-O-allyl-6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6- tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-2,3-di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-L - rhamnopyranoside (16). Deacetylation of 16 followed by benzylation, deallylation, and acetylation yielded ethyl 4-O-[3-O-acetyl-6-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-beta-D-glucopy ran osyl)- 2-O-(2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl ]-2,3- di-O-benzyl-1-thio-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (20). The glycosyl bromide derived from 20, when coupled with 3-benzyloxycarbonylamino-1-propanol, gave the beta-glycoside (21 beta) as the major product. Deacetylation of 21 beta followed by condensation with 1,3-di-O-benzylglycerol 2-(triethylammonium phosphonate) (27), oxidation, and deprotection, afforded 25 beta.