Treponema pallidum does not synthesise in vitro a capsule containing glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans.
Treponema pallidum was investigated for its ability to synthesise glycosaminoglycans or proteoglycans in vitro. Isolated viable T pallidum organisms were incubated with radiolabelled precursors of glycosaminoglycans, sodium 35S-sulphate and 3H-glucosamine (tritiated glucosamine). T pallidum failed to incorporate sodium 35S-sulphate but did incorporate 3H-glucosamine into a macromolecule which may be associated with the surface of the treponeme. This macromolecule was resistant to degradation by specific glycosaminoglycanases. We conclude that T pallidum does not synthesise a capsule containing glycosaminoglycans in vitro.
D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000378:metabolism*
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011509:Proteoglycans; D013431:Sulfates; C012036:sodium sulfate; D005944:Glucosamine