Modification of host immunity by mycobacteria : role of cell wall glycolipids

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Cell wall glycolipids of mycobacteria have been suggested to be important for host immune modulation. In this study, we first clarified the importance of controlling the expression levels of two glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of these glycolipids. We then revealed that the structural alterations of these glycolipids make both Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis vulnerable in terms of cell wall permeability. In addition, we demonstrated the presence of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate in Mycobacterium smegmatis for the first time.