IMMUNOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AN UNUSUAL CELL WALL POLYSACCHARIDE FROM ANIMAL COAGULASE-POSITIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI

Abstract

The teichoic acid of polysaccharide P (poly P) [from a canine isolate of Staphylococcus aureus] contains glycerol, glucose and phosphate. HF and alkali hydrolysates contain glycerol-1-phosphate, glycerol diphosphate and glucose-1-phosphate, but no glucosyl-glycerol fragments. Glucose and the serological activity of poly P were destroyed by periodate oxidation. Interaction with concanavalin A showed that the glucose is in .alpha.-configuration and that the hydroxyl groups at positions 3, 4 and 6 are unsubstituted. Most probably, the poly P teichoic acid is a polymer containing a repeating unit in which glycerol-1-phosphate is attached to the 2-position on .alpha.-D-glucose-1-phosphate.