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The structure of the colony migration factor from pathogenic Proteus mirabilis. A capsular polysaccharide that
M M Rahman1, J Guard-Petter, K Asokan
1Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Abstract:
Swarming by Proteus mirabilis is characterized by cycles of rapid and coordinated population migration across surfaces following differentiation of vegetative cells into elongated hyperflagellated swarm cells. It has been shown that surface colony expansion by the swarm cell population is facilitated by a colony migration factor (Cmf), a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) that also contributes to the uropathogenicity of P. mirabilis (Gygi, D., Rahman, M. M., Lai, H.-C., Carlson, R., Guard-Petter, J., and Hughes, C. (1995) Mol. Microbiol. 17, 1167-1175). In this report, the Cmf-CPS was extracted with hot water, precipitated with ethanol, and further purified by gel permeation chromatography. Its structure was established by glycosyl composition and linkage analyses, and by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The Cmf-CPS is composed of the following tetrasaccharide repeating unit. [see text]
Insights
This study details the structure of a capsular polysaccharide (CPS) from Proteus mirabilis, identified as a colony migration factor (Cmf). This Cmf facilitates bacterial swarming and surface colony expansion.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis swarming involves cell differentiation and migration.
- A colony migration factor (Cmf), a capsular polysaccharide (CPS), facilitates P. mirabilis swarming and uropathogenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structural characteristics of the Cmf-CPS from P. mirabilis.
- To understand the molecular basis of bacterial swarming and surface colonization.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of Cmf-CPS using hot water and ethanol precipitation.
- Purification via gel permeation chromatography.
- Structural determination using glycosyl composition, linkage analyses, and NMR spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- The Cmf-CPS was successfully extracted and purified.
- The structural analysis revealed a specific tetrasaccharide repeating unit (detailed in the full text).
- The findings provide insights into the molecular composition of the bacterial migration factor.
Conclusions:
- The structure of the P. mirabilis Cmf-CPS has been determined.
- This structural information is crucial for understanding the mechanism of bacterial swarming and surface migration.
- The Cmf-CPS plays a significant role in the ecological behavior and pathogenic potential of P. mirabilis.