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Meningitis bacterium is viable without endotoxin

Author

Listed:
  • Liana Steeghs

    (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM)

  • Ronald den Hartog

    (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM)

  • Arie den Boer

    (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM)

  • Bert Zomer

    (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM)

  • Paul Roholl

    (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM)

  • Peter van der Ley

    (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, RIVM)

Abstract

The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria contains lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as its outer monolayer. This is anchored to the membrane by lipid A, which is responsible for LPS's activity as an endotoxin1. In Escherichia coli, conditionally lethal mutants have been reported for the genes involved in the early steps of lipid A biosynthesis2, suggesting that this part of the LPS molecule is essential for bacterial growth. However, we have isolated a mutant of Neisseria meningitidis which is viable in spite of an early block in lipid A biosynthesis that causes a loss of endotoxin activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Liana Steeghs & Ronald den Hartog & Arie den Boer & Bert Zomer & Paul Roholl & Peter van der Ley, 1998. "Meningitis bacterium is viable without endotoxin," Nature, Nature, vol. 392(6675), pages 449-449, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:392:y:1998:i:6675:d:10.1038_33046
    DOI: 10.1038/33046
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