Lipid A Modification Systems in Gram-Negative Bacteria

The lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide forms the outer monolayer of the outer membrane of most gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli lipid A is synthesized on the cytoplasmic surface of the inner membrane by a conserved pathway of nine constitutive enzymes. Following attachment of the core oligosaccharide, nascent core-lipid A is flipped to the outer surface of the inner membrane by the ABC transporter MsbA, where the O-antigen polymer is attached. Diverse covalent modifications of the lipid A moiety may occur during its transit from the outer surface of the inner membrane to the outer membrane. Lipid A modification enzymes are reporters for lipopolysaccharide trafficking within the bacterial envelope.…

• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: GM-51310, GM-51796
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research