title: Structural studies of the serotype-f polysaccharide antigen from Streptococcus mutans OMZ175.
abstract: The serotype f antigen of Streptococcus mutans has been described as a rhamnose-glucose polysaccharide associated with the bacterial cell wall. In this study, the structure of serotype f polysaccharide was examined by analyses of the methylated derivatives of the antigen and the periodate-oxidized antigen. Methylated derivatives were characterized with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. The polysaccharide appeared to have a backbone of alternating 1,3- and 1,2,3-linked rhamnose units. Branching occurred at the 3-position of the 1,2,3-linked rhamnose. Side chains were composed of terminal alpha-linked glucose units. A small proportion of longer side chains containing 1,2- and 1,6-linked glucose units were noted in some preparations; however, these determinants were not reactive with serotype f antisera.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, State University of New York at Buffalo 14214.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Linzer
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002240:Carbohydrate Sequence; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003429:Cross Reactions; D008745:Methylation; D010504:Periodic Acid; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D010504:Periodic Acid