Fig 8.
Cell-associated and cell-free extracellular polysaccharide profiles in urine and Wzc variants. Wild-type (WT) K. pneumoniae strain KPPR1 or derived Tn:mucoidWT and Tn:mucoid+ strains were cultured in LB medium or sterile-filtered human urine (UR). The Tn insertion site and Wzc variant are reported above each lane. (A) Cell-associated capsule (CPS) and (B) cell-free extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) were purified from bacterial strains cultured in each condition and resolved on a 4%–15% SDS-PAGE gel. Polysaccharides were stained with alcian blue and then enhanced with a silver stain. Three distinct polysaccharide species were detected: diverse, mid- to high-molecular-weight chains (type A); uniform, high-molecular-weight polysaccharide chains (type A); and diffuse, ultra-high-molecular-weight chains (type C). Representative images are shown of ≥3 independent experiments.