Sequence-based predictions of lipooligosaccharide diversity in the Neisseriaceae and their implication in pathogenicity.

ABSTRACT: Endotoxin [Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/Lipooligosaccharide (LOS)] is an important virulence determinant in gram negative bacteria. While the genetic basis of endotoxin production and its role in disease in the pathogenic Neisseria has been extensively studied, little research has focused on the genetic basis of LOS biosynthesis in commensal Neisseria. We determined the genomic sequences of a variety of commensal Neisseria strains, and compared these sequences, along with other genomic sequences available from various sequencing centers from commensal and pathogenic strains, to identify genes involved in LOS biosynthesis. This allowed us to make structural predictions as to differences in LOS seen between commensal and pathogenic strains. We determined that all neisserial strains possess a con

SUBMITTER: Stein DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3078933 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature