[Immunochemical studies of O-specific polysaccharide from Proteus penneri 14 lipopolysaccharide]

O-specific polysaccharide was obtained on mild acid degradation of Proteus penneri strain 14 lipopolysaccharide and found to contain equimolar of D-galactose, D-ribose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, N-(D-galacturonoyl)-L-alanine and 3-(Nacety-L-alanyl)-amido-3,6-dideoxy-D-glucose. On the basis of non-destructive NMR analysis it was concluded that repeat unit of the 0-specific polysaccharide of P. penneri 14 has the following structure: -2-beta-D- Quip3NAlaAc-(1-->4)-alfa-D-GalpAAla-(1-->2)-beta-D- Ribf-(1-->4)-beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D--GlcpNAc-(1--> This structure was confirmed by structural elucidation of trisaccharide and disaccharide fragments prepared on mild acid hydrolysis of the polysaccharide. Immunodominant role of the partial structures of the pentasaccharide repeating unit in manifesting serological specificity of P. penneri 14 was discussed. Very weak cross-reactions of P. penneri anti-serum were observed with E. coli 0114 and Shigella boydii 08 LPS's, which showed some structural similarities. No cross-reaction with P. mirabilis 027 LPs was detected.