Structure and gene cluster of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O43

• Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Escherichia coli O43 was established.
• Solvolysis with trifluoroacetic acid was applied to selective cleavage of linkages.
• The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O43 has been sequenced.

The O-polysaccharide (O-antigen) of Escherichia coli O43 was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide and studied by chemical methods, including sugar analyses, Smith degradation, and solvolysis with anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid, along with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the pentasaccharide repeating unit of the O-polysaccharide was established:Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideFunctions of genes in the O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O43 were assigned by a comparison with sequences in the available databases and found to be in agreement with the O-polysaccharide structure.

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