Lipid A Structural Divergence in <i>Rickettsia</i> Pathogens
Mark L. Guillotte, Courtney E. Chandler, Victoria I. Verhoeve, Joseph J. Gillespie, Timothy Driscoll, M. Sayeedur Rahman, Robert K. Ernst, Abdu F. Azad
Abstract
lipid A is unknown due to poor appreciation for its structure. We determined lipid A structures for four distinct rickettsiae, revealing longer acyl chains relative to highly inflammatory bacterial lipid A. Surprisingly, lipid A of the Rocky Mountain spotted fever agent deviates in structure from other rickettsiae. Thus, lipid A divergence may contribute to variable disease phenotypes, sounding an alarm for determining its immunopotency and possible utility (i.e., as an adjuvant or anti-inflammatory) for development of more prudent rickettsiacidal therapies.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyRickettsiaRickettsia rickettsiiLipid ASpotted feverRocky Mountain spotted feverMicrobiologyBacterial outer membraneRickettsia typhiCoxiella burnetiiObligateInnate immune systemLipopolysaccharideVirologyBiochemistryReceptorGeneImmunologyVirusEcologyEscherichia coliVector-borne infectious diseasesParasites and Host InteractionsLeptospirosis research and findings