Fatty acids of Treponema pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi lipoproteins.

摘要: Abstract A fundamental ultrastructural feature shared by the spirochetal pathogens Treponema pallidum subsp. (T. pallidum) and Borrelia burgdorferi, etiological agents of venereal syphilis Lyme disease, respectively, is that their most abundant membrane proteins contain covalently attached fatty acids. In this study, we identified acids bound to lipoproteins B. burgdorferi T. examined potential acyl donors these molecules. Palmitate was predominant acid both lipoproteins. also contained substantial amounts stearate, a not typically prevalent in prokaryotic spirochetes, cellular lipids differed from those respective To characterize phospholipids organisms, spirochetes were metabolically labeled with [3H]palmitate or [3H]oleate; only phosphatidylglycerol phosphatidylcholine, while phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, cardiolipin. Although palmitate predominated lipoproteins, there no apparent differences incorporation two into (putative donors). Phospholipase A1 A2 digestion phosphatidylcholine either [3H]oleate revealed neither incorporated preferentially 1 2 positions (potential donor sites) glycerol backbone. The combined findings suggest utilization during lipoprotein synthesis determined largely specificities transferases. These provide basis for ongoing efforts elucidate relationship between acylation physiological functions inflammatory activities