Structure of the O-polysaccharide of Escherichia coli O87

•The O-specific polysaccharide was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli O87.•The structure of the tetrasaccharide repeat of the O-polysaccharide was established.•The structure is consistent with putatively assigned functions of the O-antigen biosynthesis genes.

The following structure of the O-polysaccharide of Escherichia coli HS1/2 serving as a primary receptor for bacteriophage DT57-12 was elucidated by sugar analysis along with 1D and 2D 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy:Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideThis structure is shared by E. coli O87 type strain. Putatively assigned functions of genes in the O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O87 are consistent with the O-polysaccharide structure established.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide