Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope01:18

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...
Archaeal Cell Wall01:29

Archaeal Cell Wall

Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
Bacterial Cell Wall01:22

Bacterial Cell Wall

The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and protecting against osmotic stress. This rigid yet flexible structure primarily comprises peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like matrix conferring mechanical strength and flexibility.Peptidoglycan Composition and StructurePeptidoglycan, the core of the bacterial cell wall, comprises alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides01:19

Formation of Lipopolysaccharides

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are crucial components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serving both structural and functional roles. It contributes to membrane stability and protects bacteria from host immune responses. LPS is composed of three major regions—lipid A, a core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen. The biosynthesis and assembly of LPS involve a highly coordinated set of enzymatic reactions and transport mechanisms. Additionally, LPS is recognized as an endotoxin, triggering...
Glycocalyx and its Functions01:14

Glycocalyx and its Functions

The glycocalyx is a carbohydrate-rich, fuzzy-appearing layer on the outer surface of the cell membrane. It is highly hydrophilic, because of this it attracts large amounts of water to the cell's surface. This aids the cell's interaction with the watery environment and also helps it to obtain substances dissolved in the water. It is also important for cell identification, self/non-self determination, and embryonic development and is used in cell-to-cell attachments to form tissues.
Components of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Reaching the Unreached: Unmet Needs and the Promise of Telehealth Among People with Mobility Disabilities in Low-Resource Areas in Alabama.

Disabilities (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Atorvastatin pre-exposure in hypercholesterolemia remedies 27HC mediated dendritic cell dysfunctions in triple-negative breast cancer.

Molecular therapy. Oncology·2026
Same author

Deep learning-based automated detection of Micro-cracks in monolithic zirconia crowns using Micro-CT imaging: An <i>in vitro</i> study.

Bioinformation·2026
Same author

Exploring COPD Participants' Experiences in a Comprehensive Telewellness Program within a Mixed-Disability Cohort: A Qualitative Study.

International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease·2026
Same author

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus protein GP38 from isolate M18-China confers broad immunological breadth.

Research square·2026
Same author

Advances in Ciprofloxacin Derivatives: Emerging Strategies to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance.

Topics in current chemistry (Cham)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Glycosphingolipid Antigens
13:09

Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Glycosphingolipid Antigens

Published on: April 16, 2013

A glycan shield for bacterial sphingolipids.

Pooja Arora1, Steven A Porcelli

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.

Chemistry & Biology
|July 19, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Sphingomonas bacteria may evade Natural Killer T cells by altering their outer membrane glycosphingolipids with added oligosaccharides. This suggests a coevolutionary adaptation between bacteria and their hosts.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Glycobiology

Background:

  • Sphingomonas spp. are bacteria with a unique outer membrane structure.
  • Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are immune cells that recognize specific lipid antigens.
  • Glycosphingolipids are essential components of bacterial outer membranes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of oligosaccharide additions to glycosphingolipids in Sphingomonas spp.
  • To determine if these modifications influence recognition by Natural Killer T cells.
  • To explore potential host/pathogen coevolutionary mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the outer membrane composition of Sphingomonas spp.
  • Investigating the structure of glycosphingolipids.

More Related Videos

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
10:24

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Published on: April 10, 2020

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics
09:09

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics

Published on: October 13, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Glycosphingolipid Antigens
13:09

Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Glycosphingolipid Antigens

Published on: April 16, 2013

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii
10:24

Separation of the Cell Envelope for Gram-negative Bacteria into Inner and Outer Membrane Fractions with Technical Adjustments for Acinetobacter baumannii

Published on: April 10, 2020

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics
09:09

Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics

Published on: October 13, 2020

  • Assessing the interaction between bacterial components and Natural Killer T cells.

    • Main Results:

    • Sphingomonas spp. exhibit variations in their core outer membrane glycosphingolipid structure.
    • The addition of oligosaccharides to glycosphingolipids was observed.
    • These structural modifications may facilitate immune evasion.

    Conclusions:

    • Oligosaccharide addition to glycosphingolipids is a potential adaptation for Sphingomonas spp. to evade NKT cell recognition.
    • This highlights a sophisticated coevolutionary strategy between bacteria and host immune systems.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of immune evasion and coevolution.