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Biochemical and Structural Characterization of the Carbohydrate Transport Substrate-binding-protein SP0092
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Enzymatic depolymerization of streptococcus pneumoniae type 8 polysaccharide

Ding Liu1, Jiabin Zhang1, He Zhu1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, United States.

Carbohydrate Research
|July 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study enzymatically characterized the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) structure of fatal Streptococcus pneumoniae type 8 (Pn8P). This research provides the first enzymatic depolymerization and structural analysis of Pn8P.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of infectious disease globally.
  • Capsular polysaccharides (CPS) are crucial for pneumococcal colonization and virulence.
  • Type 8 Streptococcus pneumoniae is a particularly virulent and fatal serotype.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) structure of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 8.
  • To investigate enzymatic depolymerization methods for pneumococcal polysaccharides.

Main Methods:

  • Enzymatic digestion of pneumococcal type 8 polysaccharide (Pn8P) using heparinase I and III.
  • Characterization of generated oligosaccharides via size exclusion chromatography, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance.

Main Results:

  • Successful enzymatic depolymerization of Pn8P was achieved.
  • Oligosaccharides resulting from enzymatic digestion were structurally characterized.
  • This marks the first instance of enzymatic depolymerization and characterization of Pn8P.

Conclusions:

  • Enzymatic depolymerization is a viable method for analyzing Pn8P structure.
  • Detailed structural insights into Pn8P were obtained.
  • This study lays the groundwork for further research into this highly virulent pneumococcal serotype.
Keywords:
HeparinaseMass spectrometryNMRPneumococcal polysaccharideSize exclusion chromatographyVaccine

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