Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Electroporation of Mycobacteria
11:57

Electroporation of Mycobacteria

Published on: May 23, 2008

26.1K

Discovery of Salmonella trehalose phospholipids reveals functional convergence with mycobacteria

Peter Reinink1,2, Jeffrey Buter2, Vivek K Mishra3

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|February 27, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered a new immunostimulant, 6,6'-diphosphatidyltrehalose (diPT), in *Salmonella* Typhi. This molecule, produced by some Gram-negative bacteria, activates immune cells similarly to mycobacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Lipidomics

Background:

  • *Salmonella* species are significant global pathogens.
  • The bacterial cell wall is a key interface with host immune systems.
  • Understanding pathogen-specific cell wall components can reveal virulence factors and therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify novel pathogen-specific cell wall lipids in *Salmonella* species.
  • To investigate the role of these lipids in host immune activation.
  • To characterize the biosynthesis and distribution of a newly discovered lipid.

Main Methods:

  • Lipidomics analysis to compare lipid profiles of *Salmonella* Paratyphi and *S. *Typhi.
  • Biochemical assays to determine the function of identified lipids and their biosynthetic pathways.
  • Chemotype analysis and gene homology studies to assess lipid synthesis.

Main Results:

  • Discovery of a new family of trehalose phospholipids: 6,6 '-diphosphatidyltrehalose (diPT) and 6-phosphatidyltrehalose (PT).
  • Cardiolipin synthase B (ClsB) was found to be essential for diPT and PT biosynthesis.
  • diPT was identified as an immunostimulant activating the Mincle receptor, similar to mycobacterial cord factor.

Conclusions:

  • diPT is a novel immunostimulant selectively produced by a subset of Gram-negative bacteria, including *S. *Typhi.
  • The discovery of diPT reveals functional convergence between Gram-negative bacteria and mycobacteria in immune activation.
  • This finding opens new avenues for understanding bacterial pathogenesis and developing targeted therapies.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Scalable Drug Screening Protocol for Efficient Discovery of M. abscessus Treatments07:50

Author Spotlight: Scalable Drug Screening Protocol for Efficient Discovery of M. abscessus Treatments

Published on: October 25, 2024

2.3K
Rapid One-step Enzymatic Synthesis and All-aqueous Purification of Trehalose Analogues09:27

Rapid One-step Enzymatic Synthesis and All-aqueous Purification of Trehalose Analogues

Published on: February 17, 2017

10.8K

Related Concept Videos

Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
32.8K
Region of Convergence01:17

Region of Convergence

The z-transform is a powerful mathematical tool used in the analysis of discrete-time signals and systems. It is a crucial tool in the analysis of discrete-time systems, but its convergence is limited to specific values of the complex variable z. This range of values, known as the Region of Convergence (ROC), is fundamental in determining the behavior and stability of a system or signal. The ROC defines the region in the complex plane where the z-transform converges, which can take various...
918
Convergence of Fourier Series01:21

Convergence of Fourier Series

The Fourier series is a powerful mathematical tool for representing periodic signals as an infinite sum of complex exponentials. In practice, this infinite series is truncated to a finite number of terms, yielding a partial sum. This truncation makes the approximation of the signal feasible but introduces certain challenges, particularly near discontinuities, known as the Gibbs phenomenon.
The Gibbs phenomenon refers to the persistent oscillations and overshoots that occur near discontinuities...
400
Drug Discovery: Overview01:26

Drug Discovery: Overview

Drug discovery is a multifaceted process involving extensive screening, testing, and optimization of lead compounds to identify potential new drugs for therapeutic use. It combines several approaches, including screening large numbers of natural products, chemical modification of known active molecules, identification of new drug targets, and rational design based on biological mechanisms and drug-receptor structure. These approaches are carried out in both academic research laboratories and...
11.4K
Region of Convergence of Laplace Tarnsform01:20

Region of Convergence of Laplace Tarnsform

The Region of Convergence (ROC) is a fundamental concept in signal processing and system analysis, particularly associated with the Laplace transform. The ROC represents an area in the complex plane where the Laplace transform of a given signal converges, determining the transform's applicability and utility.
Consider a decaying exponential signal that begins at a specific time. When deriving its Laplace transform, the time-domain variable is replaced with a complex variable. This...
1.1K
Functional Groups02:45

Functional Groups

Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, the presence of certain functional groups on a molecule will make them hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each...
88.3K