The structure of the carbohydrate backbone of the core-lipid A region of the lipopolysaccharide from Proteus mirabilis serotype O28

The following structure of the lipid A-core region of the lipopolysaccharid e (LPS) from Proteus mirabilis serotype O28 was determined using NMR, MS, a nd chemical analysis of the core oligosaccharide, obtained by mild acid hyd rolysis of LPS, and of the products of alkaline deacylation of the LPS: [GRAPHICS] where S = beta -GalALys (amide of beta -D-galactopyranosyluronic acid with the alpha -amino group of L-lysine) or beta -GalALys4PEtN are present in th e ratio of similar to1:1. beta -GalA and Ara4N (indicated by bold italics) are present in non stoichometric amount. All sugars are present in the pyra nose form and all except L-Ara4N have the D configuration. (C) 2000 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.