Identification of a sialate O-acetyltransferase from Campylobacter jejuni: Demonstration of direct transfer to the C-9 position of terminal α-2,8-linked sialic acid

We have identified a sialate O-acetyltransferase in the lipo-oligosaccharide biosynthesis locus of Campylobacter jejuni. Strains possessing this locus are known to produce sialylated outer core structures that mimic host gangliosides, and have been implicated in triggering the onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The a