Molecular analysis of an enigmatic virulence factor: The raffinose-family oligosaccharide utilization system.

is an opportunistic respiratory pathogen that can spread to other body sites, including the ears, brain, and blood. The ability of this bacterium to break down, import, and metabolize a wide range of glycans is key to its virulence. Intriguingly, can utilize several plant oligosaccharides for growth , including raffinose-family oligosaccharides (RFOs, which are α-(1→6)-galactosyl extensions of sucrose).