Importance of Wzx flippase specificity for O-antigen diversity

Wzx蛋白质翻转多糖O抗原的亚基（O单位）穿过细胞膜到达细胞壁。该项目的目的是确定不同Wzx翻转酶对O单元结构的特异性。以前的研究表明，Wzx的特异性比以前想象的要高得多，这使得Wzx成为一种非常有趣的蛋白质。Wzx翻转酶在序列上变化很大，可能反映了O单元中糖和键的多样性。其意义在于这些多糖在与环境相互作用中的作用，包括宿主-病原体相互作用和免疫反应。结果将是对O抗原和胶囊的出口特异性的新理解，这两者都是非常好的疫苗。

The Wzx protein flips subunits of the polysaccharide O antigen (O-units) across the cell membrane on their way to the cell wall. The aim of this project is to determine the specificity that different Wzx flippases have for O unit structure. Previous research has shown that there is much more specificity than previously thought, making Wzx a very interesting protein. Wzx flippases vary enormously in sequence, presumably reflecting the diversity of sugars and linkages in O units. The significance lies in the role of these polysaccharides in interactions with the environment, including host-pathogen interactions and immune responses. The outcome will be a new understanding of the export specificity of O-antigens and also capsules, both of which make very good vaccines.