Uncovering the activities, biological roles, and regulation of bacterial cell wall hydrolases and tailoring enzymes.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria account for 1000-fold more biomass than humans. They vary widely in shape and size. The morphological diversity of bacteria is due largely to the different peptidoglycan-based cell wall structures that encase bacterial cells. Although the basic structure of peptidoglycan is highly conserved, consisting of long glycan strands that are cross-linked by short peptide chains, the mature cell wall is chemically diverse. Peptidoglycan hydrolases and cell wall-tailoring enzymes that regulate glycan strand length, the degree of cross-linking, and the addition of other modifications to peptidoglycan are central in determining the final architecture of the bacterial cell wall. Historically, it has been difficult to biochemically characterize these enzymes that act on peptidoglycan because su

SUBMITTER: Do T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7062177 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature