Bacterial Endotoxins

Microbial Toxins, Volume IV: Bacterial Endotoxins covers a general introduction of bacterial endotoxins, as well as research concerning structure (both morphological and physical), chemistry, immunology, biosynthesis, and genetics of bacterial endotoxins. The book describes the general characteristics of bacterial endotoxins; the anatomy and chemistry of Gram-negative cell envelopes; and the physical structure of bacterial lipopolysaccharides. The text also discusses the isolation and chemical and immunological characterization of bacterial lipopolysaccharides; the chemistry of the unique carbohydrates of bacterial lipopolysaccharides; and the relation of bacteriophage attachment to lipopolysaccharide structure. The chemical and biological heterogeneity of endotoxins, as well as the biosynthesis of the core region of lipopolysaccharide are also considered. The book further tackles the biosynthesis of O-antigens and the genetic aspects of biosynthesis and structure of Salmonella lipopolysaccharide. Microbiologists, biochemists, bacteriologists, immunologists, and people involved in biochemical research will find the book useful.

List of ContributorsPrefaceContents of Other Volumes1. General Characteristics I. Introduction. Toward a Definition II. Source in Cell III. Host-Reactive Properties IV. Physicochemical Properties V. A Provisional Definition References2. The Anatomy and Chemistry of Gram-Negative Cell Envelopes I. Anatomy of Envelopes II. Chemistry of the Gram-Negative Cell Envelope References3. The Physical Structure of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides I. Introduction II. Problems in the Study of Lipopolysaccharide Structure III. The Physical Shape of Lipopolysaccharide IV. Determinants of Physical Shape V. Physical Structure and Biological Function References4. Isolation and Chemical and Immunological Characterization of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides I. Introduction II. Isolation and Properties of Lipopolysaccharides III. Sugar Constituents and Composition of Lipopolysaccharides IV. Structure of the O-Specific Chains and Chemical Basis of the Immunological Specificities of the O-Factors V. Structure of Atypical Specific Chains as Found in SR and R Mutants VI. The Basal Core Structure as Provided by Analysis of R Mutant Lipopolysaccharides VII. General Conclusions References5. The Chemistry of the Unique Carbohydrates of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides I. Introduction II. Pentoses III. Uronic Acids IV. Hexoses V. Hexosamines VI. Heptoses VII. 6-Deoxyhexoses VIII. 3,6-Dideoxyhexoses IX. KDO (3-Deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic Acid, 2-Keto-3-deoxyoctanic Acid) References6. The Relation of Bacteriophage Attachment to Lipopolysaccharide Structure I. Introduction II. Structure of the Gram-Negative Cell Wall III. The Cell Wall of Enterobacteriaceae -Relationship between Antigenic Alterations and Phage Adsorption IV. Early Work on the T Phages V. Salmonella Phages VI. E. coli Phages VII. Conclusions References7. Chemical and Biological Heterogeneity of Endotoxins I. Introduction II. Morphological and Chemical Heterogeneity III. Biological Heterogeneity IV. Attempts to Explain the Observed Heterogeneity V. Summary References8. Biosynthesis of the Core Region of Lipopolysaccharide I. Introduction II. Pathway of Biosynthesis of the Outer Core III. Role of Glycerophosphatides in Core Glycosyl Transferase Reactions IV. Biosynthesis of the Backbone Region References9. Biosynthesis of O-Antigens I. Introduction II. Variations in O-Antigen Structure III. The Biosynthetic Cycle IV. The Antigen Carrier Lipid V. The Polymerase Reaction VI. Transfer of O-Antigen Chains to the Lipopolysaccharide Core -The Ligase Reaction VII. Synthesis of Other O-Antigens and Polysaccharides References10. Genetic Aspects of Biosynthesis and Structure of Salmonella Lipopolysaccharide I. Introduction II. Methods of Genetic Analysis in Salmonella III. The Core IV. The O Side Chains V. Modifications of the LPS Structure VI. T Forms VII. Summary and Discussion ReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index