The monosaccharide composition of the glycocalyx in Mollicutes and phylogenetically related bacteria in the genus Bacillus

: A number of monosaccharides composing the glycocalix carbohydrates of some Mollicutes (Mycoplasma pneumoniae FH, M. hominis PG21, M. fermentans PG18, Acholeplasma laidlawii PG8, A. laidlawii var. granulum st. 118) and phylogenetically related bacteria from the genus Bacillus (Bacillus cereus 89, B. cereus DM423, B. subtilis 1/2, B. licheniformis 31, B. licheniformis 49) were detected using plant lectins of definite carbohydrate specificity labelled by colloid gold. The structure of extracellular glycopolymers of microorganisms was discussed concerning their role in the adhesion process and their specializations in colonization of the appropriate organs and tissues of macroorganisms as well as the action of probiotics on the basis of bacteria from the genus Bacillus. It was marked, that the mollicute cells typically interacted with all vegetable lectins tested while bacilli studied bind certain lectins only. The surface carbohydrates prevailing in monosaccharides from tested one for superficial structures of Bacillus pathogenic strains were: sialic acid, beta-D-galactose and alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, while L-fucose and alpha-D-glucose were observed in insignificant quantity or were absent. The nonpathogenic Bacillus strains being a basis of biopreparations were distinguished by the insignificant amount of sialic acid and other monosaccharides in the composition of carbohydrates of their glycocalix. Thus, as a result of research it was confirmed, that the superficial glycopolymers of Mollicutes and some related bacilli were alike as to presence of some monosaccharides that depended on taxonomic position of microorganisms and their biological activity.