Structural studies of the O-specific side-chains of the Escherichia coli O2 lipopolysaccharide.

The structure of the O-specific side-chains of the Escherichia coli O2 lipopolysaccharide has been investigated, different 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. techniques being the main methods used. It is concluded that they are composed of pentasaccharide repeating-units having the following structure, in which D-Fuc3NAc is 3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose. ----4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1----3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1----2)-alpha-L-Rh ap-(1----3)-beta-L-Rhap-(1----2 increases 1 alpha-D-Fucp3NAc.