EFFECT OF RFE MUTATION ON THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF THE 08 AND 09 ANTIGENS OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI

From phosphomannose isomerase-less mutants of E. coli strains 08 and 09, rfe- derivatives were constructed by recombination with a Salmonella rfe- donor. In contrast to membranes from the parent E. coli strains, those from the rfe- recombinants did not synthesize the 08 or 09 mannan from GDP mannose in vitro. They could, however, be restored to biosynthetic activity with butanol extracts from the E. coli rfe+ bacteria. This indicated that the rfe mutation affects the synthesis of a hydrophobic acceptor. © 1979.