Characterization of the serotype e polysaccharide antigen of Streptococcus mutans.
The structure of the Streptococcus mutans serotype e polysaccharide was studied in order to determine the chemical basis of the immunological cross-reactions observed between it and the streptococcal group E polysaccharide. The chemical structure was established using methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, partial methanolysis and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide was found to consist of a polyrhamnose backbone of alternating 2- and 3-linked alpha-L-rhamnose units and sidechain beta-D-glucosyl units linked to the 2-position of rhamnose units in the backbone. This structure of the oligosaccharide repeating unit of the S. mutans serotype e polysaccharide was identical to that of the group-specific polysaccharide of group E Streptococcus. Possible explanations for the previously reported differences in these two polysaccharides are discussed.
D G
DG
Pritchard
R L
RL
Gregory
S M
SM
Michalek
J R
JR
McGhee
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008745:Methylation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000276:immunology*
D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial