Article
Article
Endotoxin
Article By:
Morrison, David C. Department of Microbiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.
Last reviewed:December 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.232550
A biologically active substance produced by bacteria and consisting of lipopolysaccharide, a complex macromolecule containing a polysaccharide covalently linked to a unique lipid structure, termed lipid A. All gram-negative bacteria synthesize lipopolysaccharide, which is a major constituent of their outer cell membrane. One major function of lipopolysaccharide is to serve as a selectively permeable barrier for organic molecules in the external environment. Different types of gram-negative bacteria synthesize lipopolysaccharide with very different polysaccharide structures. See also: Cell membranes; Lipid; Polysaccharide
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