LIPOTEICHOIC ACID

Uses

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a complex component of cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria that are involved in a wide range of cell processes such as the stimulation of immune responses and cell signaling pathways. LTA differs between species of gram-positive bacteria. Lipoteichoic acid from Streptococcus pyogenes may be used to compare its structure, immunogenicity and functions versus other bacterial LTAs.

General Description

the bacterial source Streptococcus faecalis has been renamed Enterococcus hirae

Biochem/physiol Actions

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a complex component of cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria that are involved in a wide range of cell processes such as the stimulation of immune responses and cell signaling pathways. LTA differs between species of gram-positive bacteria. Lipoteichoic acid from Bacillus subtilis may be used to compare its structure, immunogenicity and functions versus other bacterial LTAs.

Purification Methods

The acids are extracted by hot phenol/water from disrupted cells. Nucleic acids are also extracted and are removed by treatment with nucleases. Nucleic resistant acids, proteins, polysaccharides and teichoic acids are separated from lipoteichoic acids by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel or by hydrophobic interaction on octyl-Sepharose [Fischer et al. Eur J Biochem 133 523 1983].