Genetic analysis of the gene cluster for the synthesis of serotype a-specific polysaccharide antigen in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Nao Suzuki, Yoshio Nakano, Yasuo Yoshida, Hiroshi Nakao, Yoshihisa Yamashita, Toshihiko Koga

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The serotype a-specific polysaccharide antigen (SPA) of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans consists of 6-deoxy-D-talose. A gene cluster associated with the biosynthesis of SPA was cloned and sequenced from the chromosomal DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans SUNYaB 75 (serotype a). This cluster consisted of 14 open reading frames. Insertional inactivation of eight genes in this cluster resulted in loss of the ability of A. actinomycetemcomitans SUNYaB 75 cells to produce the polysaccharide. A protein database search revealed that the 11 sequential genes containing these eight genes were not found in SPA-associated gene clusters of the other serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans. These results suggest that the gene cluster is unique to serotype a and is essential to the synthesis of the SPA. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)135-138
Number of pages4
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Gene Structure and Expression
Volume1517
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 15 2000

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Genetic analysis of the gene cluster for the synthesis of serotype a-specific polysaccharide antigen in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this