Structural elucidation of the capsular polysaccharide of neisseria meningitidis group h
Michon, F.; Roy, R.; Jennings, H.J.; Ashton, F.E.
Canadian Journal of Chemistry 62(8): 1519-1524
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-4042 DOI: 10.1139/v84-259
Accession: 006490973
The capsular polysaccharide from newly isolated N. meningitidis group H elaborates a structurally unique polysaccharide which is the group-specific antigen. The polysaccharide contains D-galactose, glycerol and phosphate in the molar ratio of 1:1:1. The polysaccharide contains O-acetyl groups, in the molar ratio of 0.8:1.0 with D-galactose, which are essential to the formation of the major group specific determinant based on serological experiments described. Although all the O-acetyl groups are located on D-galactopyranosyl residues, the substitution pattern is complex, 60% of the residues being substituted at O-3 and 20% at O-2.