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Capsule structure of Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 49565)
L M Beynon1, A J Dumanski, R J McLean
1Institute for Biological Sciences, National Research Council, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Bacteriology
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Proteus mirabilis 2573 produces a unique acidic capsular polysaccharide composed of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-L-fucosamine, and D-glucuronic acid. This finding marks the first defined capsular polysaccharide identified in the Proteus genus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Carbohydrate Chemistry
- Bacterial Genetics
Background:
- Proteus mirabilis is a Gram-negative bacterium known for causing urinary tract infections.
- The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of bacteria plays a crucial role in host-pathogen interactions and immune evasion.
- Limited information exists regarding the detailed structure of capsular polysaccharides in the Proteus genus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the chemical structure of the capsular polysaccharide produced by Proteus mirabilis 2573 (ATCC 49565).
- To investigate the relationship between the capsular polysaccharide and the O-chain of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Main Methods:
- Glycose analysis
- Carboxyl reduction
- Methylation analysis
- Periodate oxidation
- High-resolution 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
Main Results:
- The capsular polysaccharide is a high-molecular-weight polymer of branched trisaccharide units.
- The trisaccharide unit consists of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-L-fucosamine, and D-glucuronic acid.
- The O-chain of the P. mirabilis 2573 O:6 serotype LPS shares the identical structure with the capsular polysaccharide.
Conclusions:
- The complete structure of the capsular polysaccharide from P. mirabilis 2573 has been determined.
- This study reports the first defined capsular polysaccharide structure within the Proteus genus.
- The structural identity between CPS and LPS O-chain suggests a common biosynthetic pathway or evolutionary relationship.