Characteristics of lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas fluorescens (biovar I)]

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the Pseudomonas fluorescens strain IMV 7769 (biovar I) was isolated and investigated. Fractions of the structural parts of the LPS macromolecule, lipid A, the core oligosaccharide, and the O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS), were obtained in a homogeneous state. 2-Hydroxydecanoic, 3-hydroxydecanoic, dodecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, hexadecenoic, and octadecenoic fatty acids were identified in lipid A. In the hydrophilic moiety of lipid A, after acid hydrolysis, several amino acids, phosphoethanolamine, glucosamine, and three unidentified peaks forming a separate cluster together with glucosamine were found. Lipid A was shown to be phosphorylated. Glucose, fucose, rhamnose, glucosamine, galactosamine, two unidentified amino sugars, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulonic acid (KDO), heptose, ethanolamine, phosphoethanolamine, and alanine were identified in the core oligosaccharide. O-PS of the LPS consisted of repeating trisaccharide fragments that included residues of amino sugars: 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-galactose, 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-D-glucose, and 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-L-glucose. During growth, the strain under study excreted exocellular LPS (ELPS) into the medium. The LPS studied was similar to the LPS of the earlier investigated strains P. fluorescens (biovar I) IMV 1152 and IMV 1433 in the structure of O-PS, but differed from them in the composition of both lipid A and the core oligosaccharide. The LPS of the strain studied differed from LPS of the type strain P. fluorescens IMV 4125 (ATCC 13525) in all characteristics determined.     

Comparative characteristics of lipopolysaccharides of various Pseudomonas fluorescens strains (Biovar I)

From the biomass of five Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar I strains, including the P. fluorescens type strain IMV 4125 (ATCC 13525), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were isolated (by extraction with a phenol-water mixture followed by repeated ultracentrifugation), as well as individual structural components of the LPS macromolecule: lipid A, the core oligosaccharide, and O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS). 3-Hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, dodecanoic, hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, hexadecenoic, and octadecenoic fatty acids were present in lipid A of the LPS of all the strains studied. Glucosamine, ethanolamine, and phosphoethanolamine were revealed in the lipid A hydrophilic part of all of KDO, a trace amount of heptoses, ethanolamine, phosphoethanolamine, alanine, and phosphorus were identified as the main core components. Interstrain differences in the core oligosaccharide composition were revealed. Structural analysis showed that the O-PS of the type strain, as distinct from that of other strains, is heterogeneous and contains two types of repetitive units, including (1) three L-rhamnose residues (L-Rha), one 3-acetamide-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose residue (D-Fuc3NAc) as a branching substitute of the L-rhamnan chain and (2) three L-Rha residues and two branching D-Fuc3NAc residues. The type strain is also serologically distinct from other biovar I strains due to the LPS O-chain structure, which is similar to those of the strains of the species Pseudomonas syringae, including the type strain. The data of structural analysis agree well with the results of immunochemical studies of LPS.     

Characterization of lipopolysaccharides from Pseudomonas fluorescens IMB 2108 (biovar II) and IMB 2111 (biovar IV) with O-chains represented by alpha-glucan

Results of studies of the structurally unique O-chains of lipopolysaccharides, which were isolated from the dry biomass of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMB 2108 (biovar II) and IMB 2111 (biovar IV) by the Westphal technique and purified by repeated ultracentrifugation, are reported. The bulk of the lipopolysaccharide preparations contained S- and R-molecules at an average molar ratio of 1: 2. The main components of the hydrophobic moiety of lipid A were 3-hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, dodecanoic, hexadecanoic, and octadecanoic acids, as well as hexadecenoic and octadecenoic acids. Glucosamine and phosphoethanolamine were identified as components of the hydrophilic moiety of lipid A. The degree of lipid A phosphorylation amounted to 3-4%. Fractions of the core oligosaccharide contained glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine (only in strain IMB 2108), alanine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphorus, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO). Heptose was present in trace amounts. O-specific polysaccharide chains were represented by a linear polymer of D-glucose units, which were linked together via alpha-(1,4) glycoside bonds. The existence of P. fluorescens strains that have alpha-1,4-glucan as the O-chain of their lipopolysaccharides has not been described before.     

Structure and properties of the lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMV 2366 (biovar III)

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparation isolated from the bacterial mass of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMV 2366 (biovar III) by Westphal's method and purified by repeated ultracentrifugation was characterized by the presence of the S- and R-forms of molecules. The following structural portions of the LPS molecule were obtained in the individual state and characterized: lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O-specific polysaccharide. The main components of the lipid A hydrophobic moiety were 3-hydoxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, dodecanoic, and hexadecanoic fatty acids. Glucosamine, phosphoethanolamine, and phosphorus were identified as the components of the lipid A hydrophilic moiety. Rhamnose, glucose, galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, alanine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphorus, 2-keto-3-desoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO), as well as 2-amino-2,6-didesoxygalactose (FucN) and 3-amino-3,6-didesoxyglucose (Qui3N), were revealed in the composition of the core oligosaccharide fractions. O-specific polysaccharide chains were established to be composed of repeating trisaccharide units consisting of residues of L-rhamnose (L-Rha), 2-acetamido-2,6-didesoxy-D-galactose (D-FucNAc), and 3-acylamido-3,6-didesoxy-D-glucose (D-Qui3NAcyl), where Acyl = 3-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-5-hydroxyprolyl. Neither double immunodiffusion in agar not the immunoenzyme assay revealed serological relations between the strain studied and the P. fluorescens strains studied earlier.     

The distinctive features of the structure of the Pseudomonas fluorescens IMV 247 (biovar II) lipopolysaccharide

The results of the study of the Pseudomonas fluorescens IMV 247 (biovar II) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the dry bacterial mass by Westphal's method and purified by repeated ultracentrifugation are presented. The macromolecular organization of the LPS is characterized by the presence of S and R forms of LPS molecules in a 1:1 ratio. The structural components of the LPS molecule--lipid A, the core oligosaccharide, and the O-specific polysaccharide--were isolated and characterized. 3-Hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, and dodecanoic acids proved to be the main lipid A fatty acids. Glucosamine, phosphoethanolamine, and phosphorus were identified as the components of the lipid A hydrophilic portion. Glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, glucosamine, alanine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphorus, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulonate (KDO) were revealed in the heterogeneous fraction of the core oligosaccharide. The O-specific polysaccharide chain was composed of repeating tetrasaccharide units consisting of L-rhamnose (L-Rha), 3,6-dideoxy-3-[(S)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose (D-Qui3NHb), 2-acetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-4[(S)-3-hydroxybutyramido-D-glucose (D-QuiNAc4NHb), and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galacturonic acid (D-GalNAcA) residues. A peculiarity of the O-specific polysaccharide was that it released, upon partial acid hydrolysis, the nonreducing disaccharide GalNAcA-->QuiNAc4NHb with a 3-hydroxybutyryl group glycosylated intramolecularly with a QuiN4N residue. Double immunodiffusion in agar and lipopolysaccharide precipitation reactions revealed no serological interrelationship between the strain studied and the P. fluorescens strains studied earlier.     

Structural determination of lipid A of the lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas reactans. A pathogen of cultivated mushrooms.

The chemical structure of lipid A from the lipopolysaccharide of the mushroom-associated bacterium Pseudomonas reactans, a pathogen of cultivated mushroom, was elucidated by compositional analysis and spectroscopic methods (MALDI-TOF and two-dimensional NMR). The sugar backbone was composed of the beta-(1'-->6)-linked d-glucosamine disaccharide 1-phosphate. The lipid A fraction showed remarkable heterogeneity with respect to the fatty acid and phosphate composition. The major species are hexacylated and pentacylated lipid A, bearing the (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid [C12:0 (3OH)] in amide linkage and a (R)-3-hydroxydecanoic [C10:0 (3OH)] in ester linkage while the secondary fatty acids are present as C12:0 and/or C12:0 (2-OH). A nonstoichiometric phosphate substitution at position C-4' of the distal 2-deoxy-2-amino-glucose was detected. Interestingly, the pentacyl lipid A is lacking a primary fatty acid, namely the C10:0 (3-OH) at position C-3'. The potential biological meaning of this peculiar lipid A is also discussed.     

Structural characterization of the lipid A component of pathogenic Neisseria meningitidis.

The lipid A component of meningococcal lipopolysaccharide was structurally characterized by using chemical modification methods, methylation analysis, 31P nuclear magnetic resonance, and laser desorption mass spectroscopy. It was shown that Neisseria meningitidis lipid A consists of a 1,4'-bisphosphorylated beta(1'----6)-linked D-glucosamine disaccharide (lipid A backbone), both phosphate groups being largely replaced by O-phosphorylethanolamine. This disaccharide harbors two nonsubstituted hydroxyl groups at positions 4 and 6', the latter representing the attachment site of the oligosaccharide portion in lipopolysaccharide. In addition, it is substituted by up to six fatty acid residues. In the major lipid A component, representing a hexaacyl species, the hydroxyl groups at positions 3 and 3' carry (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid [12:0(3-OH)], whereas the amino groups at positions 2 and 2' are substituted by (R)-3-(dodecanoyloxy)tetradecanoic acid [3-O(12:0)-14:0]. A minor portion was present as a tetraacyl lipid A component lacking either dodecanoic acid (12:0) or 12:0 and 12:0(3-OH). N. meningitidis lipid A, therefore, significantly differs from Escherichia coli lipid A by the nature and locations of fatty acids and the substitution of O-phosphorylethanolamine for the nonglycosyl (4'-P) and glycosyl phosphate.     

Pseudomonas japonica sp. nov., a novel species that assimilates straight chain alkylphenols

A bacterial strain, WL(T), which was isolated from an activated sludge, was able to degrade alkylphenols. 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that strain WL(T) belonged to the genus Pseudomonas (sensu stricto) and formed a monophyletic clade with the type strain of Pseudomonas graminis and other members in the Pseudomonas putida subcluster with sequence similarity values higher than 97%. Genomic relatedness based on DNA-DNA hybridization of strain WL(T) to these strains is 2-41%. Strain WL(T) contained ubiquinone-9 as the main respiratory quinone, and the G+C content of DNA was 66 mol%. The organism contained hexadecanoic acid (16:0), hexadecenoic acid (16:1) and octadecenoic acid (18:1) as major cellular fatty acids. The hydroxy fatty acids detected were 3-hydroxydecanoic acid (3-OH 10:0), 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid (3-OH 12:0) and 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid (2-OH 12:0). These results, as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics clearly indicate that the strain WL(T) represents a new Pseudomonas species, for which the name Pseudomonas japonica is proposed. The type strain is strain WL(T) (=IAM 15071T=TISTR 1526T).     

Immunochemical characteristics of a lipopolysaccharide from Pseudomonas aurantiaca

A lipopolysaccharide was isolated from Pseudomonas aurantiaca IMB 31 by extraction with aqueous phenol and purified by ultracentrifugation. The lipopolysaccharide was confined to the phenol phase. Fucosamine (2-amino-2,6-dideoxygalactose) (36%) and bacillosamine (2,4-diamino-3,4,6-trideoxyglucose) (23%) were identified as hypothetic components of the O-chain in the carbohydrate moiety of the macromolecule using the techniques of paper chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography on an amino acid analyser. Rhamnose, glucose, galactose, glucosamine and galactosamine were detected as hypothetical components of the core in the lipopolysaccharide composition, as well as 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid, heptose, alpha-alanine and phosphorus, usual components of the core in Pseudomonas. The following predominant fatty acids were identified in the composition of lipid A using the techniques of gas-liquid chromatography with standard compounds and gas-liquid mass spectrometry: 3-OH C10:0 (14.4%), C12:0 (30.5%), 2-OH C12:0 (14.9%), 3-OH C12:0 (17.4%), C16:0 (9.9%). The serological relationship between P. aurantiaca strains was studied, and their phylogenetic relationship with P. fluorescens is discussed.     

Structure and Properties of the Lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMV 2366 (Biovar III)

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparation isolated from the bacterial mass of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMV 2366 (biovar III) by Westphal's method and purified by repeated ultracentrifugation contained S- and R-forms of molecules. The structural components of the LPS molecule—lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O-specific polysaccharide—were obtained in the individual state and characterized. The main components of the lipid A hydrophobic moiety were 3-hydoxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, dodecanoic, and hexadecanoic fatty acids. Glucosamine, phosphoethanolamine, and phosphorus were identified as the components of the lipid A hydrophilic moiety. Rhamnose, glucose, galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, alanine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphorus, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO), as well as 2-amino-2,6-dideoxygalactose (FucN) and 3-amino-3,6-dideoxyglucose (Qui3N), were revealed in the composition of the core oligosaccharide fractions. O-specific polysaccharide chains were composed of repeating trisaccharide units consisting of residues of L-rhamnose (L-Rha), 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-D-galactose (D-FucNAc), and 3-acylamido-3,6-dideoxy-D-glucose (D-Qui3NAcyl), where Acyl = 3-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-5-hydroxyprolyl. Neither double immunodiffusion in agar not the immunoenzymatic assay revealed serological relations between the strain studied and the P. fluorescens strains studied earlier.     

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.     

Peculiarities of the structure of thePseudomonas fluorescens IMV 247 (Biovar II) lipopolysaccharide

The results of the study of thePseudomonas fluorescens IMV 247 (biovar II) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from the dry bacterial mass by Westphal’s method and purified by repeated ultracentrifugation are presented. The macromolecular organization of the LPS is characterized by the presence of S and R forms of LPS molecules in a 1 : 1 ratio. The structural components of the LPS molecule-lipid A, the core oligosaccharide, and the 0-specific polysaccharide-were isolated and characterized. 3-Hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, and dodecanoic acids proved to be the main lipid A fatty acids. Glucosamine, phosphoethanolamine, and phosphorus were identified as the components of the lipid A hydrophilic portion. Glucose, galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, glucosamine, galactosamine alanine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphorus, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulonate (KDO) were revealed in the heterogeneous fraction of the core oligosaccharide. The 0-specific polysaccharide chain was composed of repeating tetrasaccharide units consisting of L-rhamnose (L-Rha), 3,6-dideoxy-3-[(S)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose (D-Qui3NHb), 2-acetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy4 [(S)-3-hydroxybutyramido]-D-glucose (D-QuiNAc4NHb), and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galacturonic acid (D-GalNAcA) residues. A peculiarity of the 0-specific polysaccharide was that it released, upon partial acid hydrolysis, the nonreducing disaccharide GalNAcA→ QuiNAc4NHb with a 3-hydroxybutyryl group glycosylated intramolecularly with a QuiN4N residue. Double immunodiffusion in agar and lipopolysaccharide precipitation reactions revealed no serological interrelationship between the strain studied and theP. fluorescens strains studied earlier.     

Comparative Characterization of the Lipopolysaccharides of Different Pseudomonas fluorescensBiovar I Strains

From the biomass of five Pseudomonas fluorescensbiovar I strains, including the P. fluorescenstype strain IMV 4125 (ATCC 13525), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were isolated (by extraction with a phenol–water mixture followed by repeated ultracentrifugation), as well as individual structural components of the LPS macromolecule: lipid A, the core oligosaccharide, and O-specific polysaccharide (O-PS). 3-Hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, dodecanoic, hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, hexadecenoic, and octadecenoic fatty acids were present in lipid A of the LPS of all the strains studied. Glucosamine, ethanolamine, and phosphoethanolamine were revealed in the lipid A hydrophilic part of all of the strains. Glucose, rhamnose, mannoze, glucosamine, galactosamine, KDO, a trace amount of heptoses, ethanolamine, phosphoethanolamine, alanine, and phosphorus were identified as the main core components. Interstrain differences in the core oligosaccharide composition were revealed. Structural analysis showed that the O-PS of the type strain, as distinct from that of other strains, is heterogeneous and contains two types of repetitive units, including (1) three L-rhamnose residues (L-Rha), one 3-acetamide-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose residue (D-Fuc3NAc) as a branching substitute of the L-rhamnan chain and (2) three L-Rha residues and two branching D-Fuc3NAc residues. The type strain is also serologically distinct from other biovar I strains due to the LPS O-chain structure, which is similar to those of the strains of the species Pseudomonas syringae, including the type strain. The data of structural analysis agree well with the results of immunochemical studies of LPS.     

Characterization of Lipopolysaccharides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis> IMB 2108 (Biovar II) and IMB 2111 (Biovar IV) with O-Chains Represented by α-Glucan

Results of studies of the structurally unique O-chains of lipopolysaccharides, which were isolated from the dry biomass of Pseudomonas fluorescens IMB 2108 (biovar II) and IMB 2111 (biovar IV) by the Westphal technique and purified by repeated ultracentrifugation, are reported. The bulk of the lipopolysaccharide preparations contained S- and R-molecules at an average molar ratio of 1 : 2. The main components of the hydrophobic moiety of lipid A were 3-hydroxydecanoic, 2-hydroxydodecanoic, 3-hydroxydodecanoic, dodecanoic, hexadecanoic, and octadecanoic acids, as well as hexadecenoic and octadecenoic acids. Glucosamine and phosphoethanolamine were identified as components of the hydrophilic moiety of lipid A. The degree of lipid A phosphorylation amounted to 3–4%. Fractions of the core oligosaccharide contained glucose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine (only in strain IMB 2108), alanine, phosphoethanolamine, phosphorus, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonic acid (KDO). Heptose was present in trace amounts. O-specific polysaccharide chains were represented by a linear polymer of D-glucose units, which were linked together via α-(1,4) glycoside bonds. The existence of P. fluorescens strains that have α-1,4-glucan as the O-chain of their lipopolysaccharides has not been described before.     

Species of Pseudomonas obtained at 7°C and 30°C during aerobic storage of lamb carcasses

A total of 268 strains of Pseudomonas isolated during storage life of lamb carcasses was identified to species level. One-hundred and thirteen strains obtained at 30°C were Ps.fragi (51), Ps. lundensis (17), Ps. fluorescens biovars I (10), III (9) and VI (1), Ps. putida biovar A (8 strains) and unidentified (17 strains). Species and biovars isolated at 7°C (155) were Ps. fragi (101), Ps. lundensis (32), Ps. fluorescens biovar I (6), Ps. putida biovar A (8) and unidentified (8). Numerical analysis (82% S _SM, UPGMA) of 'psychrotrophic' and 'mesophilic' strains resulted in the formation of nine and eight clusters respectively. The dendrograms obtained exhibited similar structures. Most of the strains of Ps. lundensis and Ps. fragi clustered together. Strains of this latter species also joined the type strain of Ps. testosteroni and appeared included with phenons containing the Ps. putida strains. There were clusters made up exclusively of strains assigned to one biovar or group ( Ps. fluorescens biovars I and II and unidentified). A high level of similarity was observed between clusters of Ps. fluorescens biovar I and those containing the Ps. fragi-Ps. lundensis complex (>74% S _SM) and Ps. lundensis (>80%). The recovery of pseudomonads seemed to be affected by the sampling day.     

Effects of growth temperature and pVM82 plasmid on fatty acids of lipid A from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Effects of cultivation temperature (8 or 37 degrees C) and plasmid profile on the lipid A fatty acids of three isogenic Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains (plasmidless (82-) and strains containing pVM82 (82+) or p57 (57+) plasmids) obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of the whole bacterial cells and differentiated from fatty acids of other membrane lipids were investigated. On the basis of the analysis, it is concluded that lipids A of all studied samples contain 3-hydroxytetradecanoic and dodecanoic acids, a part of which exists as the 3-dodecanoyloxytetradecanoic derivative. The effect of temperature appears in the higher contents of ester- and amide-linked 3-acyloxyalkanoic residues in lipid A from the "cold" variants of the bacteria and is determined by chromosomal genes. The plasmid effect is seen as various responses of the isogenic derivatives to change of growth temperature: in cells of strains 82+ and 82- grown in the cold, the share of lipid A fatty acids in the total population of cellular fatty acids is reduced, while in strains with plasmid p57 it is increased. The temperature variants of the 57+ strain differ by the low contents of amide-linked 3-acyloxyalkanoic acids. Finally, lack of plasmid pVM82 in the "warm" variants of the bacteria results in accumulation of glycolipid molecules deprived of dodecanoic acid. Correlation between growth temperature and plasmid profiles, on one hand, and lipid A fatty acid composition and potential pathogenic properties of the Y. pseudotuberculosis, on the other hand, and also possible mechanisms of thermal adaptation of this organism are discussed.     

Expression of foreign LpxA acyltransferases in Neisseria meningitidis results in modified lipid A with reduced toxicity and retained adjuvant activity

A major problem in the development of vaccines against Gram-negative bacteria is the endotoxic -activity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is determined by its lipid A moiety. Nevertheless, LPS would be an interesting vaccine component because of its immune-stimulating properties. In the present study, we have changed the fatty acid composition of Neisseria meningitidis LPS by replacing the lpxA gene of strain H44/76 with the Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa homologue. The majority of the O-linked 3-OH C12 in N. meningitidis lipid A was replaced by 3-OH C14 (strain HA01E) and 3-OH C10 (strain HA25P) respectively. Both strains, but most notably strain HA01E, had reduced amounts of LPS compared with the wild-type strain. In addition, growth was severely impaired for HA01E. The major outer membrane proteins were expressed normally. Outer membrane complexes of both strains normalized on their LPS content showed a 10-fold reduction in their ability to induce tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Immunogenicity studies in BALB/c mice revealed that the adjuvant activity of the LPS was not affected. Thus, the replacement of the O-linked fatty acids in meningococcal lipid A results in immunogenic outer membranes with reduced endotoxic activity, more suitable for use in outer membrane vesicle vaccines.     

The purification and chemical composition of the lipopolysaccharide of Pseudomonas alcaligenes

1. A method for obtaining lipopolysaccharide free from glycosaminopeptide from isolated cell walls of Pseudomonas alcaligenes is discussed. 2. About 70-75% of the lipopolysaccharide and 86-90% of the isolated lipid A have been accounted for in terms of identifiable components. 3. Hydrolysates of lipid A contain mainly inorganic phosphate, glucosamine, O-phosphorylglucosamine and fatty acids (dodecanoic acid, dodec-2-enoic acid, 3-hydroxydecanoic acid and 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid), of which the last is the main N-acylating acid of the glucosamine backbone. 4. Material corresponding to the polysaccharide moiety of the lipopolysaccharide is extensively degraded. 5. Solubilization of the lipopolysaccharide by using sodium deoxycholate appreciably affects the chemical composition of the material.     

Species of Pseudomonas obtained at 7 degrees C and 30 degrees C during aerobic storage of lamb carcasses.

A total of 268 strains of Pseudomonas isolated during storage life of lamb carcasses was identified to species level. One-hundred and thirteen strains obtained at 30 degrees C were Ps. fragi (51), Ps. lundensis (17), Ps. fluorescens biovars I (10), III (9) and VI (1), Ps. putida biovar A (8 strains) and unidentified (17 strains). Species and biovars isolated at 7 degrees C (155) were Ps. fragi (101), Ps. lundensis (32), Ps. fluorescens biovar I (6), Ps. putida biovar A (8) and unidentified (8). Numerical analysis (82% SSM, UPGMA) of 'psychrotrophic' and 'mesophilic' strains resulted in the formation of nine and eight clusters respectively. The dendrograms obtained exhibited similar structures. Most of the strains of Ps. lundensis and Ps. fragi clustered together. Strains of this latter species also joined the type strain of Ps. testosteroni and appeared included with phenons containing the Ps. putida strains. There were clusters made up exclusively of strains assigned to one biovar or group (Ps. fluorescens biovars I and II and unidentified). A high level of similarity was observed between clusters of Ps. fluorescens biovar I and those containing the Ps. fragi-Ps. lundensis complex (> 74% SSM) and Ps. lundensis (> 80%). The recovery of pseudomonads seemed to be affected by the sampling day.     

Characteristic lipids of Bordetella pertussis: simple fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acids, and an ornithine-containing lipid.

The lipids and fatty acids of Bordetella pertussis (phases I to IV) were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry and compared with those of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica. The major lipid components of the three species were phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and an ornithine-containing lipid. The ornithine-containing lipid was characteristic of the genus Bordetella. The fatty acid composition of the total extractable cellular lipids of B. pertussis was mostly hexadecanoic and hexadecenoic acids (90%) in a ratio of about 1:1. The hexadecenoic acid of B. pertussis was in the cis-9 form. The fatty acid composition of the residual bound lipids was distinctly different from that of the extractable lipids, and residual bound lipids being mainly 3-hydroxytetradecanoic, tetradecanoic, and 3-hydroxydecanoic acids, with 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid occurring in some strains. It was determined that the 3-hydroxy fatty acids were derived from lipid A. The fatty acid composition of the total extractable cellular lipids of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica, mainly composed of hexadecanoic and heptadecacyclopropanoic acid, differed from that of B. pertussis. Although the fatty acid composition of the residual bound lipids of B. parapertussis was similar to that of the residual bound lipids of B. pertussis, 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid was detected only in the bound lipids of B. bronchiseptica.