[Comparative characterization of the physico-chemical properties of lipopolysaccharides of Yersinia pestis and R-mutants of enterobacteria]

Electrokinetic potentials (EKP) of the cells of R mutants of Escherichia coli and Salmonella minnesota and cells of Yersinia pestis strains EV (line NIIEG), 358/12 P-, TWJ, Java, and 231 (708) were determined, as well as EKP of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparations isolated from these bacteria. The electric characteristics of the cell surfaces of the strains under investigation were demonstrated to correlate with the LPS charge and the reduction extent of their molecules. Acidic hydrolysis of LPS on the cell surface resulted in the leveling of the distinctions in EKP values (their reduction to the same level). EKP values and the size of LPS micelles of the studied Y. pestis strains corresponded to those of the deep R mutants of enterobacteria, while the aggregation extent of the molecules was higher for Y. pestis.