Lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris: a cluster of 15 genes is involved in the biosynthesis of the LPS O-antigen and the LPS core.

As a result of mutational and DNA sequence analysis, a wxc gene cluster involved in the synthesis of the surface lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was identified in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris. This gene cluster comprises 15 genes. It was located on a cloned 35-kb fragment of chromosomal DNA, close, but not directly adjacent, to previously characterized genes for LPS biosynthesis. The G + C content of all but one of the wxc genes was atypically low for X. campestris pv. campestris, while the G + C distribution was uniform throughout the cluster. An SDS-PAGE analysis of mutant strains defective in various wxc genes confirmed that genes from this cluster were involved in LPS biosynthesis. The mutant phenotypes allowed the differentiation of three regions within the wxc cluster. Genes from wxc region 1 are necessary for the biosynthesis of the water-soluble LPS O-antigen. Analysis of DNA and deduced amino acid sequences led to the identification of two glycosyltransferases, two components of an ABC transport system, and a possible kinase among the seven putative proteins encoded by genes constituting wxc region 1. The two genes in wxc region 2 were similar to gmd and rmd, which direct the synthesis of the sugar nucleotide GDP-D-rhamnose. Mutations affecting wxc region 2 demonstrated its involvement in the formation of the LPS core. Genes from wxc region 3 showed similarities to genes that code for enzymes that modify nucleotide sugars, and to components of sugar translocation systems that have so far been rarely described in bacteria.