Biosynthesis and production of polysialic acids in bacteria.
Polysialic acids (PA) are protective capsular sialohomopolymers present in some bacteria which can invade the mammalian host and cause lethal bacteremia and meningitis. Biosynthesis and translocation of PA to the cell surface are equivalent in different species and bacterial strains which are produced. The diversity in PA structure is derived from the PA linkages and is a consequence of the specific sialyltransferase activities. The monomer acetylation and the polymer length could be important factors in the potential virulence. In vivo PA production is affected by different physical and chemical factors. The temperature of cellular growth strictly regulates PA genesis through a molecular complex and multifactorial mechanism that operate to transcription level.
Ferrero
Miguel Angel
MA
Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, 24071, León, Spain. ma.ferrero@unileon.es
Aparicio
Leandro Rodríguez
LR
D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D014774:Virulence
D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D012794:Sialic Acids; C021319:polysialic acid