Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
12:02
Automated Modular High Throughput Exopolysaccharide Screening Platform Coupled with Highly Sensitive Carbohydrate Fingerprint Analysis
Published on: April 11, 2016
11.5K
A novel exopolysaccharide pathway from a freshwater Sphingomonas isolate
Alexandra G Goetsch1, Daniel Ufearo1, Griffin Keiser2
1Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|November 14, 2023
Summary
Researchers identified a novel bacterial exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis pathway in Sphingomonas sp. LM7. This discovery advances understanding of bacterial glycan diversity and offers potential for engineering valuable polysaccharides.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Glycobiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Bacteria produce diverse polysaccharides for cell envelope embellishment, with complex biosynthesis pathways leading to varied structures and functions.
- Defining bacterial glycan biosynthesis pathways is challenging due to the intricate chemistry involved, limiting detailed understanding of natural polysaccharide production.
Conclusions:
- *Sphingomonas sp.* LM7 possesses a unique *wzy/wzx*-dependent pathway for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis.
- Characterizing complete bacterial polysaccharide biosynthetic pathways provides a foundation for understanding glycan diversity.
- This research opens avenues for the potential engineering of novel polysaccharides with desirable properties.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
21
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,...
21
01:24Oligosaccharide Assembly
2.9K
Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
2.9K
01:17Gene Regulation During Sporulation
20
Sporulation is a complex developmental process that allows certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium species, to survive extreme environmental conditions. This process is tightly regulated by a series of signaling cascades and transcriptional controls, ensuring the formation of a highly resistant endospore.Sporulation is triggered by unfavorable conditions, such as nutrient depletion, and is governed by a phosphorelay system. One of the sensor kinases, such as...
20
01:26Bacterial Phylum Bacteroidota
24
The phylum Bacteroidota includes over 700 species classified into four primary orders: Bacteroidales, Cytophagales, Flavobacteriales, and Sphingobacteriales. These gram-negative, non-sporulating rods exhibit saccharolytic capabilities and can be aerobic or fermentative, encompassing obligate aerobes, facultative aerobes, and obligate anaerobes. Many species display gliding motility, though some are nonmotile or use flagella. The genus Bacteroides is well-studied due to its significant role in...
24
01:28Peptidoglycan Synthesis
22
Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan...
22