title: Identification of a genetic locus involved in the biosynthesis of N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, a precursor of the (alpha 2-->8)-linked polysialic acid capsule of serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis.
abstract: We characterized the genetic defect of a capsule-deficient serogroup B meningococcal strain created by Tn916 mutagenesis. The transposon insertion interrupts a capsule biosynthesis gene, synX, which is involved in the production of N-acetyl-D-mannosamine, a precursor of the (alpha 2-->8)-linked polysialic acid capsule of serogroup B meningococci.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Swartley
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Stephens
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006595:Hexosamines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D006595:Hexosamines; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D012794:Sialic Acids; C021319:polysialic acid; C002022:N-acetylmannosamine