Lipid A Is More than Acyl Chains

Abstract

ABSTRACT The acyl chain length, number, and distribution have been considered the major factors contributing to this biological activity of lipid A. The charged head groups on the dihexosamine backbone have also been implicated in contributing to this biology. In Neisseria , it has now been shown that loss of the 4′ phosphoethanolamine has an impact on virulence in an animal model and on the organism's susceptibility to cationic antimicrobial peptides. Such studies offer potential insight into targets for novel antimicrobial agents.