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Distribution and composition of lipopolysaccharides from mycoplasmas
Abstract:
Polymeric carbohydrates containing glycerol and fatty acids were isolated from whole cells and membranes of mycoplasmas by hot aqueous phenol extraction and gel filtration. Lipopolysaccharides were found to occur in four species of Acholeplasma, two of Anaeroplasma, and in Mycoplasma neurolyticum. None were detected in Spiroplasma citri or in five species of Mycoplasma. All lipopolysaccharides contained both neutral and N-acylated amino sugars in ratios varying from 1:1 to 3:1. The neutral sugars found in varying distribution were glucose, galactose, and mannose. The amino sugars included fucosamine, an unidentified deoxyhexosamine, galactosamine, and glucosamine. Fucosamine and glucose were the only sugars common to all lipopolysaccharides. The fatty acids were similar to those found in the lipids of each organism.
Insights
Researchers identified lipopolysaccharides in certain mycoplasma species, revealing common sugars like fucosamine and glucose. These findings advance our understanding of mycoplasma cell envelope composition.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mycoplasmas are bacteria lacking cell walls, with unique cell membrane compositions.
- Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are complex molecules typically found in Gram-negative bacteria, but their presence in mycoplasmas is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and composition of lipopolysaccharides in various mycoplasma species.
- To characterize the carbohydrate and fatty acid components of mycoplasma lipopolysaccharides.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of polymeric carbohydrates from mycoplasma whole cells and membranes using hot aqueous phenol extraction.
- Purification and analysis of lipopolysaccharides via gel filtration chromatography.
- Identification of neutral and amino sugars, and fatty acids.
Main Results:
- Lipopolysaccharides were detected in Acholeplasma, Anaeroplasma, and Mycoplasma neurolyticum, but not in Spiroplasma citri or other Mycoplasma species.
- All identified lipopolysaccharides contained neutral sugars (glucose, galactose, mannose) and N-acylated amino sugars (fucosamine, unidentified deoxyhexosamine, galactosamine, glucosamine).
- Fucosamine and glucose were universally present; fatty acid profiles correlated with the organism's lipids.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the presence of lipopolysaccharides in specific mycoplasma genera, expanding knowledge of their cell envelope structure.
- Variations in sugar composition highlight species-specific differences within mycoplasmas.
- The findings contribute to understanding mycoplasma diversity and their biochemical characteristics.