Colitose
Colitose[edit | edit source]
Colitose is a rare sugar molecule that is primarily found in the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of certain bacteria. It is classified as a 6-deoxyhexose, meaning it is a hexose sugar with a hydroxyl group missing from the sixth carbon atom. Colitose is known for its unique structure and its role in the virulence of certain bacterial pathogens.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The chemical structure of colitose consists of a six-carbon backbone with five hydroxyl groups and one keto group. It is structurally similar to other hexose sugars, such as glucose and mannose, but with the absence of the hydroxyl group at the sixth carbon. This structural difference gives colitose its distinct properties and functions.
Function[edit | edit source]
Colitose plays a crucial role in the virulence of certain bacteria, particularly those belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is a component of the O-antigen, which is the outermost part of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule found in the bacterial cell wall. The O-antigen is responsible for the antigenic specificity of the LPS and is involved in host-pathogen interactions.
Role in Bacterial Pathogenesis[edit | edit source]
Colitose contributes to the pathogenicity of bacteria by aiding in the evasion of the host immune system and promoting bacterial colonization. It has been shown to enhance bacterial resistance to complement-mediated killing, a process by which the host immune system eliminates invading pathogens. Additionally, colitose has been implicated in the adherence of bacteria to host cells, facilitating the establishment of infection.
Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]
The presence of colitose in bacterial pathogens has important clinical implications. It has been associated with increased virulence and severity of infections caused by certain bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Understanding the role of colitose in bacterial pathogenesis can aid in the development of targeted therapies and vaccines against these pathogens.
References[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
