Structure and gene cluster of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O140

• Escherichia coli O140 strains identified as enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).
• The OPS structure of E. coli O140 was established.
• The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O140 has been annotated.

An acidic O-polysaccharide (O-antigen) was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O140 and studied by sugar analysis along with 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the branched hexasaccharide repeating unit was established: The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O140 was sequenced. The gene functions were tentatively assigned by a comparison with sequences in the available databases and found to be in full agreement with the E. coli O140 polysaccharide structure.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide