# CHEMISTRY AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF CELL-SURFACE POLYMERS

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 1991 · $257,605

## Abstract

The long term objective of this investigation is directed towards understanding
more fully the biochemical and physiological importance and function of two cell
surface components, the poly(gamma-D-glutamyl) capsule of Bacillus licheniformis
and polymers containing polysialic acid residues in Escherichia coli.  A second
major objective is to understand more fully the conformation, molecular motions
and interactions of glycosyl carrier polyisoprenoids in membranes.  Effort
during the least several years has been concerned with the structure and
biosynthesis of these two surface polymers.  On the basis of work already
accomplished (determination of the structure of the poly(gamma-D-glutamyl)
capsule; biosynthetic studies on the meembranous polyglutamyl synthetase and
sialyltransferase complex; isolation, characterization and role of undecaprenyl
phosphate in sialyl polymer synthesis; direction of polymer elongation; role of
a temperature-induced alteration in sialyl polymer assembly) these objectives
are a logical continuation of studies currently in progress which include
elucidation of the molecular events whereby membranous enzyme interactions
participate in the synthesis and assembly of these surface components and the
interaction of several paramagnetic isoprenoid carrier lipids with phospholipid
membranes.
In sialyl polymer synthesis, major emphasis will continue to focus upon: 1)  the
mechanism of assembly of the sialyltransferase complex; 2) structural studies on
the nature of in vitro and in vivo synthesized polymers;  3)  the interaction of
spin-labeled polyisoprenyl phosphate derivatives with phospholipid membranes and
reconstituted membrane vesicles.  Future studies on the biosynthesis of the
poly(gamma-D-glutamyl) polymers will be directed at understanding the mechanism
of activation, racemization and polymerization of this unique polymer.  The
nature of a putative thioester intermediate will be pursued.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3124543
- **Project number:** 5R01AI009352-21
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TX2DAGQPENZ5
- **Principal Investigator:** FREDERIC ARTHUR TROY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $257,605
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1976-09-30 → 1993-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3124543

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3124543, CHEMISTRY AND BIOSYNTHESIS OF CELL-SURFACE POLYMERS (5R01AI009352-21). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3124543. Licensed CC0.

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