Molecular genetics and role in infection of environmentally regulated lipopolysaccharide expression.
Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from different Gram-negative bacteria are structurally distinct. Even closely related serovars of single bacterial species may possess different LPS molecules. Further variability may then be superimposed on this ground-state structural diversity as a result of variable expression of other LPS structures. This variable expression is due in some cases to high-frequency, reversible, random "on-off" switching of genes required for biosynthesis of particular LPS structures. In other cases differential expression of LPS biosynthesis genes may be part of a programmed response to environmental stimuli, which may occur as adaptations by pathogenic bacteria to changing environments within the host during the course of infection.
Centre for Veterinary Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. ap243@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
Andrew
A
Preston
Duncan J
DJ
Maskell
D000940:Antigenic Variation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides