What is the Difference Between LPS and LOS?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Lipooligosaccharides (LOS) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are both bacterial lipopolysaccharides found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The key difference between LPS and LOS is the molecular weight: LPS has a very high molecular weight, while LOS has a low molecular weight.
LPS and LOS are large molecules with a lipid component and a polysaccharide component. LPS contains a large amount of glucosamine residues, core, and phosphate groups, while LOS contains a small amount of glucosamine, core, and phosphate groups. LPS is the biologically active portion of an endotoxin, and it is often monomeric or aggregated, while endotoxins are fragments of Gram-negative cellular walls and come in various types and sizes.
LOS is sometimes referred to as "rough" LPS, as opposed to "smooth" LPS, which includes the O antigen. both LOS and LPS are important for bacterial pathogenesis and can play a role in evading the host's immune defenses.
Comparative Table: LPS vs LOS
The key difference between Lipid Polysaccharide (LPS) and Lipid Oligosaccharide (LOS) lies in their molecular weight, with LPS having a very high molecular weight and LOS having a low molecular weight. Both LPS and LOS are bacterial lipopolysaccharides found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.
Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between LPS and LOS:
| Feature | LPS (Lipopolysaccharide) | LOS (Lipooligosaccharide) |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | High | Low |
| Structure | Contains a large amount of glucosamine residues, core, and phosphate groups | Contains a small amount of glucosamine, core, and phosphate groups |
| Organism | Found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria | Found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria |
These molecules are responsible for the ability of some bacteria to display molecular mimicry and evade host immune defenses, contributing to the virulence of these bacteria.