Structural studies of the O-specific side-chain of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O 55.

The structure of the O-specific side-chains of the lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O 55 has been investigated, methylation analysis, specific degradations, and n.m.r. spectroscopy being the principal methods used. It is concluded that the O-specific side-chains are composed of pentasaccharide repeating-units having the following structure [where Col stands for colitose (3,6-dideoxy-L-xylo-hexose)].(See formula in text).