title: Antigens and surface components associated with virulence of Actinomyces viscosus.
abstract: We have isolated a specific cell wall antigen of high molecular weight which appears to be unique to virulent strains of A viscosus and A naeslundii. The antigen is composed of two parts: a polysaccharide moiety containing 6-DOT as the major sugar and determinant of serologic specificity, and a small peptide bearing some resemblance to the peptidoglycan. Other data indicate a positive correlation between the presence of this antigen and an extrachromosomal piece of DNA having most of the properties of a bacterial plasmid. The specific function of the 6-DOT antigen in disease production is not known, but its clear association with virulent strains suggests the possibility of monitoring specific populations of oral actinomycetes.
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000276:immunology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D003837:Deoxy Sugars / Q000032:analysis; D006601:Hexoses / Q000032:analysis; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D012703:Serotyping; D014774:Virulence
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D003837:Deoxy Sugars; D006601:Hexoses