Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructure of lipopolysaccharide isolated from Treponema pallidum. 1973

S W Jackson, and P N Zey

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction was extracted from Nichols, nonpathogenic Treponema pallidum by the hot, phenol-water procedure. The LPS was freed of nucleic acids and water-soluble proteins by successive exposures to ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, and Pronase. Purified LPS responded positively in a colorimetric assay for lipopolysaccharide. Electron microscope examination of the LPS both before and after purification demonstrated a heterogeneous mixture of forms including spheres, doughnuts, and ribbons. The trilaminar nature of the ribbon forms was observed by both negative staining and thin sectioning. Lyophilization of the LPS caused an increase in the number and length of ribbon forms seen. Results suggest that the surface layers of treponemes are similar to those of gram-negative bacteria.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008070	Lipopolysaccharides	Lipid-containing polysaccharides which are endotoxins and important group-specific antigens. They are often derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and induce immunoglobulin secretion. The lipopolysaccharide molecule consists of three parts: LIPID A, core polysaccharide, and O-specific chains (O ANTIGENS). When derived from Escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharides serve as polyclonal B-cell mitogens commonly used in laboratory immunology. (From Dorland, 28th ed)	Lipopolysaccharide,Lipoglycans
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D010636	Phenols	Benzene derivatives that include one or more hydroxyl groups attached to the ring structure.
D010772	Phosphotungstic Acid	Tungsten hydroxide oxide phosphate. A white or slightly yellowish-green, slightly efflorescent crystal or crystalline powder. It is used as a reagent for alkaloids and many other nitrogen bases, for phenols, albumin, peptone, amino acids, uric acid, urea, blood, and carbohydrates. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)	Acid, Phosphotungstic
D011135	Polysaccharides, Bacterial	Polysaccharides found in bacteria and in capsules thereof.	Bacterial Polysaccharides
D011402	Pronase	A proteolytic enzyme obtained from Streptomyces griseus.	Pronase E,Pronase P,Protease XIV,XIV, Protease
D002473	Cell Wall	The outermost layer of a cell in most PLANTS; BACTERIA; FUNGI; and ALGAE. The cell wall is usually a rigid structure that lies external to the CELL MEMBRANE, and provides a protective barrier against physical or chemical agents.	Cell Walls,Wall, Cell,Walls, Cell
D003124	Colorimetry	Any technique by which an unknown color is evaluated in terms of standard colors. The technique may be visual, photoelectric, or indirect by means of spectrophotometry. It is used in chemistry and physics. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D003851	Deoxyribonucleases	Enzymes which catalyze the hydrolases of ester bonds within DNA. EC 3.1.-.	DNAase,DNase,Deoxyribonuclease,Desoxyribonuclease,Desoxyribonucleases,Nucleases, DNA,Acid DNase,Alkaline DNase,DNA Nucleases,DNase, Acid,DNase, Alkaline
D012260	Ribonucleases	Enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of ester bonds within RNA. EC 3.1.-.	Nucleases, RNA,RNase,Acid Ribonuclease,Alkaline Ribonuclease,Ribonuclease,RNA Nucleases,Ribonuclease, Acid,Ribonuclease, Alkaline