THE LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE OF HELICOBACTER-MUSTELAE TYPE STRAIN ATCC-43772 EXPRESSES THE MONOFUCOSYL-A TYPE-1 HISTO-BLOOD GROUP EPITOPE

The lipopolysaccharide of Helicobacter mustelae type strain ATCC 43772 was obtained by phenol-water extraction of bacterial cells. Structura l investigations were made on the lipid A free saccharide moiety relea sed from the lipopolysaccharide by mild acetic acid hydrolysis. Nuclea r magnetic resonance, gas liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry were employed in the character ization of products from chemical manipulations. A monoclonal antibody specific for blood group A reacted strongly with lipopolysaccharide o f EI. mustelae. Chemical and serological data showed that the outer co re region of the lipopolysaccharide from H. mustelae ATCC 43772 expres ses the monofucosyl A type 1, ha-L-Fuc-(1-->2]-beta-D-Gal-(1-->3)-beta -D-GlcNAc, blood group determinant, a mimic of animal cell surface gly colipids and glycoproteins.