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.
Preston
Andrew
A
Centre for Veterinary Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. ap243@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
Maskell
Duncan J
DJ
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