细菌类脂A的结构修饰及其应用前景

Structure Modification of Lipid A in Bacteria

摘要:

类脂A是革兰氏阴性细菌细胞外膜外侧脂多糖的主要组成成分, 也是内毒素的活性成分, 可以被宿主免疫细胞识别并引发疾病。类脂A的生物合成途径相对保守, 但在转运到外膜外侧的过程中它的结构被修饰以适应不同的外界环境。类脂A的结构修饰在细菌体内受到严格调控, 与细菌的毒性密切相关, 却不影响细菌的生长繁殖。主要介绍近几年类脂A结构修饰方面的研究进展, 在此基础上分析了类脂A结构修饰在病原菌防治、疫苗开发、工业发酵和食品安全等相关领域的应用前景。

Abstract:

Lipid A is the major component of lipopolysaccharide, which forms the outer monolayer of the outer membrane in most Gram-negative bacteria. Lipid A is responsible for the bioactivity of endotoxin. After entering the host, lipid A can be recognized by immune cells, which may lead to diseases. The biosynthetic pathway of lipid A in bacteria is relatively conservative, but structure modifications can occur during its transport to the bacterial surface. These modifications differ in bacteria in order to adapt to different external environment. They are not necessary for survival, but are tightly regulated in the cell and closely related to the virulence of bacteria. This review summarizes recent advances on the modification of lipid A and its relationship with the virulence of bacteria. Furthermore, applications of such research in pathogen control, vaccine development, and fermentation industry are proposed.