3-Deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic Acid (Kdo) Transferase of Legionella pneumophila Transfers Two Kdo Residues to a Structurally Different Lipid A Precursor of Escherichia coli

The 3-deoxy-d-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (Kdo) transferase gene of Legionella pneumophila was cloned and sequenced. Despite remarkable structural differences in lipid A, the gene complemented a corresponding Escherichia coli mutant and was shown to encode a bifunctional enzyme which transferred 2 Kdo residues to a lipid A acceptor of E. coli.