Open AccessStructural diversity in S almonella O antigens and its genetic basis
Author(s) -
Liu Bin,
Knirel Yuriy A.,
Feng Lu,
Perepelov Andrei V.,
Senchenkova Sof'ya N.,
Reeves Peter R.,
Wang Lei
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6976.12034
Subject(s) - biology , antigen , genetics , gene , virulence , salmonella , gene cluster , genetic diversity , escherichia coli , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , population , demography , sociology
This review covers the structures and genetics of the 46 O antigens of S almonella , a major pathogen of humans and domestic animals. The variation in structures underpins the serological specificity of the 46 recognized serogroups. The O antigen is important for the full function and virulence of many bacteria, and the considerable diversity of O antigens can confer selective advantage. S almonella O antigens can be divided into two major groups: those which have N ‐acetylglucosamine ( G lc NA c) or N ‐acetylgalactosamine ( G al NA c) and those which have galactose ( G al) as the first sugar in the O unit. In recent years, we have determined 21 chemical structures and sequenced 28 gene clusters for G lc NA c‐/ G al NA c‐initiated O antigens, thus completing the structure and DNA sequence data for the 46 S almonella O antigens. The structures and gene clusters of the G lc NA c‐/ G al NA c‐initiated O antigens were found to be highly diverse, and 24 of them were found to be identical or closely related to E scherichia coli O antigens. Sequence comparisons indicate that all or most of the shared gene clusters were probably present in the common ancestor, although alternative explanations are also possible. In contrast, the better‐known eight G al‐initiated O antigens are closely related both in structures and gene cluster sequences.