Cell Wall Lipopolysaccharides of 'Yersinia pestis': Chemical and Serological Studies.

摘要

The research program characterized the macromolecular structures comprising the envelope of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of bubonic plague. The unit protein structures of the macrocapsule, acidic polysaccharide of micro-capsule, and lipopolysaccharide of cell wall were elucidated and formulated into a model postulating the structural relationship of each entity. Studies on biochemical events and cellular factors were conducted and associated with the expression of virulence. A synergistic event between Pseudomonas maltophilia or its cellular exogenates and Yersinia pestis greatly enhanced the expression of virulence of the plague bacilli. The lipopolysaccharide study showed that the lipopolysaccharide contents of Yersinia pestis strains were chemically similar and cannot be employed for differentiating strains of plague bacilli. This program also established that serological typing of Y. pestis cells will not be accomplished by a simple exploration of somatic cellular entities. (Author)