Glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of the inner core region of different lipopolysaccharides

The inner core of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures in Gram-negative bacteria is considered a highly conserved region. The sugar connecting the membrane-associated lipid A moiety with the hydrophilic saccharide moiety, 3-deoxy-alpha-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) is present in every LPS molecule investigated but it may be partially replaced by D-glycero-alpha-D-talo-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Ko). L-Glycero-alpha-D-Manno-heptose (Hep) and phosphate residues are part of most but not all LPS structures and additionally, modifications with 4-amino-4-deoxy-beta-L-arabinose (Ara4N) residues occur in some. A number of different glycosyltransferases is involved in the biosynthesis of the inner core region of different lipopolysaccharides. Here, we report the characterization of Kdo transferases, heptosyltransferases and Ara4N transferases from a variety of bacteria. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.