Structure of the Lipopolysaccharide Core Region of the Bacteria of the Genus Proteus

Abstract

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core structure was studied in seven rough strains of Proteus and 26 smooth strains belonging to various Proteus O-serogroups. All LPSs share a common heptasaccharide fragment, which includes two Kdo, three Hep, one Glc, and one GalA residue. Core structures differ between strains and within each strain in the presence of a variety of additional monosaccharides and non-sugar substituents. In many strains, the LPS includes a cyclic acetal of GalNAc in the open-chain form, which builds up a new type of linkage between monosaccharides. The covalent linkage of aliphatic polyamines, e.g. putrescine and spermidine, to the LPS was confirmed for the first time and the location of the amines at the carboxyl group of a GalA residue established. Analyses revealed peculiar features of the core structure, which are characteristic of P. mirabilis on one hand and P. vulgaris and P. penneri on the other hand.