Characterization of Ssc, an N-acetylgalactosamine-containing Staphylococcus aureus surface polysaccharide.

Abstract

Surface polysaccharides play crucial roles in the biology and virulence of bacterial pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus produces four major types of polysaccharides that have been well-characterized. In this study, we identified a new surface polysaccharide containing N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). This marks the first report of GalNAc-containing polysaccharide in S. aureus. Our discovery lays the groundwork for further investigations into the chemical structure, surface location, and role in pathogenesis of this new polysaccharide.