Structural and immunochemical studies of the lipopolysaccharides of Salmonella strains with both antigen O4 and antigen O9.

Two Salmonella hybrid strains, SL5313 (Salmonella typhimurium with a D.rfb+ gene cluster) and SL5396 (S. enteritidis with a B.rfb+ gene cluster), each expressing both O-antigen 4 (of serogroup B) and O-antigen 9 (of serogroup D) were studied by immunofluorescence using a mixture of O4-specific mouse monoclonal and O9-specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Bound antibodies, detected by anti-mouse antibody labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and anti-rabbit antibody labelled with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate showed that more than 98% of the bacteria expressed both the O4 and O9 epitopes. Phenol-water-extracted lipopolysaccharide from batch-grown cultures subjected to sugar and methylation analyses by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were shown to contain abequose (of the O4 epitope) and tyvelose (of the O9 epitope) in ratios of 1:1.5 and 1:2.5 for SL5313 and SL5396, respectively. Isolated polysaccharide chains, obtained by weak-acid hydrolysis of the lipopolysaccharides, were found to contain both O4 and O9 specificities in the same molecule, since polysaccharide bound to O4 antibody attached to a solid-phase-adsorbed O9-specific antibody and vice versa. This demonstrates that in strains SL5313 and SL5396 O chains containing both O4 repeating units (from S. typhimurium) and O9 units (from S. enteritidis) are present.     

Cloning and structure of group C1 O antigen (rfb gene cluster) from Salmonella enterica serovar montevideo.

The Salmonella enterica group C1 O antigen structure has a Man-Man-Man-Man-GlcNAc backbone with a glucose branch, which differs from the S. enterica group B O antigen structure which has a Man-Rha-Gal backbone with abequose as side-chain. We have cloned the group C1 rfb (O antigen) gene cluster from serovar montevideo strain M40, using a low-copy-number cosmid vector. The restriction map of the group C1 (M40) rfb gene cluster was compared with that of group B strain LT2 by Southern hybridization and restriction enzyme analysis. The results indicate that the flanking genes are very similar in the two strains, but there is no detectable similarity in the rfb regions. We localized the mannose pathway genes rfbM and rfbK and one of the genes, rfbK, shows considerably similarity to cpsG of strain LT2, suggesting that part of the mannose pathway in the group C1 rfb cluster is derived from a gene of the M antigen (cps) cluster. The M antigen, which forms a capsule, is comprised of four sugars, including fucose. The biosynthetic pathway of GDP-fucose has steps in common with the GDP-mannose pathway, and the cps cluster has isogenes of rfbK and rfbM, presumably as part of a fucose pathway. We discuss the structure and possible evolution of the group C1 rfb gene cluster.     

Use of an artificial antigen simulating the Salmonella O-determinant 4 for determining antibodies to Salmonella group B O-antigen in immunoenzyme analysis

The use of the artificial antigen abequosylmannoside copolymer with acrylamide in the enzyme immunoassay for the determination of antibodies in the sera of salmonellosis patients has enhanced the specificity of the serological diagnosis of group B salmonellosis in comparison with the use of the natural antiren, S. typhimurium lipopolysaccharide.     

肠道沙门菌O:4(B)菌群脉冲场凝胶电泳分子分型

为了明确2010年食源性疾病监测中分离的肠道沙门菌O:4(B)菌群的PFGE分子型别,探讨其多态性及其与分子流行病学关系,我们将分离获得的29株O:4(B)血清型沙门菌进一步鉴定培养,挑取单个菌落增菌,供试菌株基因组DNA用限制性内切酶Xba Ⅰ消化酶切后进行脉冲场凝胶电泳分型,所得结果用Bionumerics5.1软件进行聚类分析.实验结果表明,根据电泳指纹图谱,可将29株肠道沙门菌O:4(B)菌群分为24个PFGE型别,菌株间的相似值在56.31%~100%之间,同一血清型别的沙门菌有多个PFGE型别.脉冲场凝胶电泳对O:4(B)群沙门菌有较高的分型能力,可有效的应用于食物中沙门菌溯源分析及分子流行病学研究.     

Sequence and structural analysis of the rfb (O antigen) gene cluster from a group C1 Salmonella enterica strain.

The rfb (O antigen) gene cluster of a group C1 Salmonella enterica strain was sequenced; it comprised seven open reading frames which precisely replaced the 16 open reading frames of a group B strain. Two genes of the mannose biosynthetic pathway were present: rfbK (phosphomannomutase) had a G+C content of 0.61 and had only 40% identity to rfbK of group B but was very similar to cpsG of the capsular polysaccharide pathway with 96% identity, whereas rfbM [guanosine diphosphomannose (GDP-Man) pyrophosphorylase] had a G+C content of 0.39. Other genes had G+C contents ranging from 0.24 to 0.28. rfbM(C1) and rfbM(B) had 60% identity, which is much less than expected within a species, but nonetheless indicates a much more recent common ancestor than for rfbK. The other genes showed much lower or no similarity to rfb genes of other S. enterica strains. It appears that the gene cluster evolved outside of Salmonella in a species with low G+C content: the rfbM gene presumably derives from that period whereas the rfbK gene appears to have arisen after transfer of the cluster to S. enterica by duplication of the S. enterica cpsG gene, presumably replacing an rfbK gene of low G+C content.     

Structure of the O9 antigen from Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia

Abstract The O9 antigen of Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) cepacia has the following disaccharide repeating-unit: → 4)-α-D-Glc-p-(1 → 3)-α-L-Rha p-(1 → The same unit is present in the O antigens of Serratia marcescens strain S1254 and serogroup O4 (predominantly acetylated at O-2 of rhamnose in the latter case).     

The pathogenicity of strains of Salmonella paratyphi B and Salmonella java

AIMS: To relate the diseases caused by strains of Salmonella paratyphi B and S. java to pathogenic mechanisms expressed by these bacteria for the purpose of organism discrimination. METHODS AND RESULTS: Epidemiological data relating to cases of disease caused by strains of S. paratyphi B and S. java, isolated over a 10-year period, were analysed with respect to patients' symptoms, particularly those involving enteric fever. Strains of S. paratyphi B and S. java were also examined for a range of known pathogenic mechanisms. Infection with S. paratyphi B involved pyrexia in 12.5% of patients compared with 2.2% of patients infected with S. java. These organisms could not be differentiated based on the pathogenic properties examined. CONCLUSIONS: Strains of S. paratyphi B appear not to be a major cause of enteric fever but primarily a cause of gastroenteritis, in common with S. java. Both organisms express similar pathogenic mechanisms, and strains of S. java are probably d-tartrate utilizing variants of S. paratyphi B. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Strains of S. paratyphi B are very closely related organisms, primarily causing gastroenteritis. From this study it would appear that strains of S. paratyphi B are not a major cause of enteric fever.     

Serum trypsin inhibitor activity in rabbits immunized with mounting doses of bacterial antigen (Salmonella paratyphi B)

The author studied changes in serum trypsin inhibitor activity and in the leucocyte count in rabbits immunized withSalmonella paratyphi B vaccines in different concentrations. Changes in serum trypsin inhibitor activity followed a regular course. Six hours after administering the antigen it fell significantly, the degree of the decrease being correlated to the antigen concentration. After 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours it was significantly raised, the maximum increase being recorded after 72 hours; the increase was likewise correlated to the vaccine concentration. Pronounced changes were also recorded in the leucocyte count, but these did not follow a regular course and were not correlated to the amount of antigen administered.     

Structure and sequence of the rfb (O antigen) gene cluster of Salmonella serovar typhimurium (strain LT2)

The rfb gene cluster of Salmonella LT2 has been cloned and sequenced. The genes rfbA, rfbB, rfbD, rfbF, rfbG, rfbK, rfbM and rfbP were located individually and the gene rfbL was located outside the cluster. Approximately 16 open reading frames were found in the region which is essential for the expression of O antigen. The gene products of rfbB and rfbG were found to have homology with the group of dehydrogenase and related enzymes described previously. Analysis of the G + C ratio of the rfb cluster extended the area of low-G + C composition previously found in the sequence of rfbJ to the whole rfb gene cluster. Three to five segments with discrete G + C contents and codon adaptation indices are present in the rfb region, indicating a heterogeneous origin of these segments. Potential promoters were found near the start of the rfb region, supporting the possibility that the rfb gene cluster is an operon.     

Introduction of the 4-(4-bromophenyl)benzenesulfonyl group to hydrazide analogs of Ilomastat leads to potent gelatinase B (MMP-9) inhibitors with improved selectivity

Hydrazide derivatives of Ilomastat, carrying either aryl groups or distinct alkyl and arylsulfonyl moieties were synthesized and evaluated for their MMP inhibitory activity. Potent and selective MMP-9 inhibition (IC(50)=3 nM) was observed for compound 3m (arylsulfonyl group: 4-(4-Br-C6H4)-C6H4-SO(2)-). Interaction with the S2 enzyme subsite is mainly responsible for the inhibitory properties of this derivative as confirmed by molecular docking computation.     

Genetic determination of the O antigens of Salmonella groups B (4,5,12) and C1(6,7)

M?kel?, P. Helena (University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland). Genetic determination of the O antigens of Salmonella groups B (4,5,12) and C(1) (6,7). J. Bacteriol. 91:1115-1125. 1966.-The genetic determination of the O antigens of Salmonella was studied by Hfr or F' crosses between strains of groups B (antigens 4,5,12) and C(1) (antigens 6,7). The main genetic determinants of the specificities 4 of group B and 7 of group C(1) behaved as alleles of one locus, called O or O-4/7. This is probably identical with O-4/9, responsible for the serological difference between groups B and D, and with the "rough" locus rouB. At least parts of the antigens 12 of group B and 6(2) of group C are determined at the same locus. The gene O-5 is closely linked to O-4/7, both mapping in the approximately 2 minutes distance between his and metG in the order his - O-4/7 - O-5 - metG. In crosses of group B donors with group C(1) recipients, a serologically new type, called semirough (SR), appeared in most recombinants that had inherited the O-4 allele of the group B donor. These SR forms are serologically intermediate between smooth and rough forms, showing poor stability in saline but possessing the specificities 4 and 12 and (some of them) 5. On the basis of previous biochemical studies, the hypothesis has been put forward that the side chains of their lipopolysaccharide are much shorter than normal group B side chains, probably containing only one repeating unit per side chain. A gene SR-4 responsible for the elongation of group B side chains beyond the first repeating unit was mapped between gal and try, group B and D bacteria being Sr-4(+), and group C being SR-4(-).     

Structural characterization of the O-polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Salmonella milwaukee O:43 (group U) which possesses human blood group B activity.

The O-polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide produced by Salmonella milwaukee O:43 (group U) was shown by composition analysis, methylation, periodate oxidation, and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analytical methods to be a polymer of branched pentasaccharide repeating units having the structure: [formula: see text] The blood-group activity of the O-polysaccharide was established by its serological reactivity with a specific monoclonal antibody to human blood group B, using passive hemagglutination and ELISA assays, indicating the common antigenic epitope to be a nonreducing terminal trisaccharide unit composed of L-Fucp and D-Galp (1:2) residues.     

Digit ratio (2D:4D) and behavioral differences between inbred mouse strains

Digit ratio (2D:4D) is a trait, which is sexually differentiated in a variety of species. In humans, males typically have shorter second digits (2Ds) (index fingers) compared to fourth digits (4Ds) (ring fingers) whereas females' fingers are more equal in length. Smaller, more masculine, digit ratios are thought to be associated with higher prenatal testosterone levels, greater sensitivity to prenatal androgens or both. Men with more masculine digit ratios have shown increased ability, achievement and speed in sports and tend to report that they are more physically aggressive. Previous research has shown the same sexually differentiated pattern in the hind paws of laboratory mice as in human hands, males have lower 2D:4D than females. We measured hind paw digit ratio in mice of eight inbred strains. These measurements were made while blind to strain, sex and whether the paw was from the left or right side. We found large differences in digit ratio between the strains and suggest that inbred mice are a promising system for investigating the correlation between digit ratio and behavioral traits.