title: Characterization of the specific O-polysaccharide structure and biosynthetic gene cluster of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotype O:15.
abstract: Yersinia pseudotuberculosis serotyping scheme contains 21 serotypes based on the distribution of about 30 different O-factors within the species. The chemical structures of LPSs and the genetic basis of their biosynthesis has been determined for a number of Y. pseudotuberculosis strains representing different serotypes; thus, an overall picture of the relationship between genetics and structures is emerging. In this work, we have performed a structural and genetic analysis of the Y. pseudotuberculosis serotype O:15 O-specific polysaccharide. Our results showed that the set-up of the Y. pseudotuberculosis O:15 gene cluster is a hybrid between those of Y. pseudotuberculosis serotypes O:1b and O:5a, possibly due to a single recombination event. The hybrid nature could also be seen in the structure of the O-specific polysaccharide repeating unit pentasaccharide. It contains a tetrameric backbone identical to that of O:5a while the branching paratofuranose residue is identical to that of O:1b.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University Federico II of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Castro
authors.forename: Mikael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skurnik
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molinaro
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Holst
mesh_terms: D002678:Chimera / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D019081:O Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015995:Prevalence; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012703:Serotyping; D015011:Yersinia pseudotuberculosis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015012:Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D019081:O Antigens