Neutron scattering analysis of bacterial lipopolysaccharide phase structure. Changes at high pH

The aggregate structure of lipopolysaccharide isolated from an Re strain of Escherichia coli was examined at different pH values using small angle neutron scattering. At pH values of 6 and 7.4, angle-averaged scattering of the sodium salt of this isolate was consistent with randomly coiled tubular micelles approximately 100 A in diameter. At pH 9.1, however, Kratky analysis of the scattering data was distinctly different and consistent with pairing of uniform tubular micelle sections of length 1440 and 110 A in diameter. Contrast variation measurements of the micelles yielded an average micellar weight of the sample at pH 9.1 of approximately 1.11 X 10(7) daltons and suggested that the aggregates were tubular micelles of size and length similar to that derived from the scattering intensity data. Anisotropic scattering patterns of samples under shear indicated a rigidification of the micelles as the pH was increased to 9.1 and the temperature decreased from 25 to 10 degrees C. The rotational diffusion constants deduced from the observed shear anisotropy indicate that the structure at pH 9.1 must have smallest and largest dimensions which differ by at least an order of magnitude, ruling out spherical or moderately ellipsoidal structures. Analysis of the shear rate needed to induce anisotropic scattering indicated that the stiffness length of the micelles at pH 9.1 was approximately 1000 A and decreased at higher and lower pH values.