pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Structure of peptidoglycan from Thermus thermophilus HB8 - PubMed

Structure of peptidoglycan from Thermus thermophilus HB8

J C Quintela et al. J Bacteriol. 1995 Sep.

Abstract

The composition and structure of peptidoglycan (murein) extracted from the extreme thermophilic eubacterium Thermus thermophilus HB8 are presented. The structure of 29 muropeptides, accounting for more than 85% of total murein, is reported. The basic monomeric subunit consists of N-acetylglucosamine-N-acetylmuramic acid-L-Ala-D-Glu-L-Orn-D-Ala-D-Ala, acylated at the delta-NH2 group of Orn by a Gly-Gly dipeptide. In a significant proportion (about 23%) of total muropeptides, the N-terminal Gly is substituted by a residue of phenylacetic acid. This is the first time phenylacetic acid is described as a component of bacterial murein. Possible implications for murein physiology and biosynthesis are discussed. Murein cross-linking is mediated by D-Ala-Gly-Gly peptide cross-bridges. Glycan chains are apparently terminated by (1-->6) anhydro N-acetylmuramic acid residues. Neither reducing sugars nor murein-bound macromolecules were detected. Murein from T. thermophilus presents an intermediate complexity between those of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. The murein composition and peptide cross-bridges of T. thermophilus are typical for a gram-positive bacterium. However, the murein content, degree of cross-linkage, and glycan chain length for T. thermophilus are closer to those for gram-negative organisms and could explain the gram-negative character of Thermus spp.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Biochem J. 1957 Nov;67(3):416-23 - PubMed
    1. Mol Microbiol. 1993 Jul;9(1):65-75 - PubMed
    1. J Bacteriol. 1994 Jan;176(1):260-4 - PubMed
    1. Nature. 1964 Mar 14;201:1105-7 - PubMed
    1. Virology. 1955 Jul;1(2):190-206 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources