Evidence for the participation of N-acetylated amino sugars in the coaggregation between Cytophaga species strain DR2001 and Actinomyces israelii PK16.

Coaggregation between Cytophaga sp. strain DR2001 and Actinomyces israelii PK16 was partially inhibited by certain N-acetylated amino sugars (N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine) and was completely inhibited by the trisaccharide neuraminin-lactose. The monosaccharides exerted their effect at concentrations between 30 to 100 mM, whereas the trisaccharide was an effective inhibitor at significantly lower concentrations. Outer membrane preparations caused A. israelii PK16 cells to aggregate; however, vesicles released from the cell envelope during growth failed to do so. Adherence studies with a non-coaggregating mutant of the cytophaga suggest that the spheroidal hydroxyapatite attachment sites and coaggregation receptors are separate entities.