Lipopolysaccharides, Biofilms, and Quorum Sensing in Pasteurellaceae
Thomas J. Inzana, W. Edward Swords, Indra Sandal, and Shivakumara Siddaramappa
from: Pasteurellaceae: Biology, Genomics and Molecular Aspects (Edited by: Peter Kuhnert and Henrik Christensen). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2008)
Abstract
The endotoxin of the Pasteurellaceae is an essential component of the bacterial cell surface, as it is for all gram-negative bacteria. However, the Pasteurellaceae are unusual in that some members make an endotoxin that is a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) while others make a lipooligosaccharide (LOS). The LOS can be a relatively simple antigen, or a deceptively complex molecule that can be decorated with a variety of components that influence host response and interactions, contain structures that mimic host antigens, and phase vary in the expression of these antigenic epitopes. In this chapter, we will give a brief summary of what is known regarding LPS/LOS structure and genetics for different members of the Pasteurellaceae, and discuss how the glycose and other associated components affect persistence and virulence in vivo . Furthermore, we will discuss the formation of biofilms, which are produced by many members of this group, and how these surface-attached biofilm communities may promote bacterial persistence in vivo, even in the face of immune effectors and antimicrobial treatment. Finally, we will describe a related field of bacterial quorum sensing, which is an area of much recent work for these and other bacterial species read more ...
