Molecular interplay between peptidoglycan integrity and outer membrane asymmetry in maintaining cell envelope homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial cell envelope is a critical interface with the environment, particularly in Gram-negative species where the outer membrane (OM) and peptidoglycan (PG) layers coordinate to maintain structural integrity and resist turgor. Although this coordination is essential for survival, the molecular mechanisms linking OM and PG homeostasis remain poorly understood. LD-transpeptidases (LDTs) are enzymes that crosslink peptides in PG and incorporate d-amino acids, but their physiological roles are not fully defined. Here, we characterize the activity of the LDT enzyme LdtJ in Acinetobacter baumannii and investigate the consequences of its deletion. Loss of LdtJ disrupts cell morphology, downregulates PG precursor genes (e.g., dadA and alr), and activates the stringent

SUBMITTER: Nandy S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12548408 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature