Peptidoglycan: Difference between revisions

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Peptidoglycan is a&nbsp;[[Macromolecule]] made up of alternating [[Residues]] of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine (NAG)&nbsp;and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)&nbsp;joined together by a [[Glycosidic bond]]<ref>http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/courses/bio141/lecguide/unit1/prostruct/cw.html</ref>. There&nbsp;is then a [[Pentapeptide]]&nbsp;attatched&nbsp;to&nbsp;the NAM amino acid which forms cross-links&nbsp;with other&nbsp;polysaccharide chains&nbsp;forming a 3D mesh-like layer. These cross-links are formed using the enzyme Glycopeptide transpeptidase and provide peptidoglycan with stability.&nbsp;This stability allows it to provide mechanical support and prevent osmotic lysis from occurring in bacteria.<ref>Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. (2012) Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman: pg 252</ref>  
Peptidoglycan is a&nbsp;[[Macromolecule]] made up of alternating [[Residues]] of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine (NAG)&nbsp;and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)&nbsp;joined together by a [[Glycosidic bond]]<ref>http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/courses/bio141/lecguide/unit1/prostruct/cw.html</ref>. There&nbsp;is then a [[Pentapeptide]]&nbsp;attatched&nbsp;to&nbsp;the NAM amino acid which forms cross-links&nbsp;with other&nbsp;polysaccharide chains&nbsp;forming a 3D mesh-like layer. These cross-links are formed using the enzyme Glycopeptide transpeptidase and provide peptidoglycan with stability.&nbsp;This stability allows it to provide mechanical support and prevent osmotic lysis from occurring in bacteria.<ref>Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. (2012) Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman: pg 252</ref>  


Penicillin [[Inhibits]] the effect of peptidoglycan in&nbsp;bacteria by binding to [[Serine]] in the enzyme glycopeptide transpeptidase.&nbsp;As a result,&nbsp;it&nbsp;can no longer catalyse the formation of cross-links.&nbsp;The enzyme is irreversibly inhibitted which therefore results&nbsp;in the termination of bacterial growth.  
Penicillin [[Inhibits]] the effect of peptidoglycan in&nbsp;bacteria by binding to [[Serine]] in the enzyme glycopeptide transpeptidase.&nbsp;As a result,&nbsp;it&nbsp;can no longer catalyse the formation of cross-links.&nbsp;The enzyme is irreversibly inhibitted which therefore results&nbsp;in the termination of bacterial growth. <ref>↑ Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. (2012) Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman: pg 252</ref>


&nbsp;'''References'''  
&nbsp;'''References'''  


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Revision as of 11:57, 1 December 2011

Peptidoglycan is found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. It is present in larger amounts in Gram-positive bacteria as it appears as a multimolecular layer and can be found in association with additional compounds. In Gram-negative bacteria, it is found in either 1 or 2 layers between the inner and outer membrane.[1] 

Peptidoglycan is a Macromolecule made up of alternating Residues of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) joined together by a Glycosidic bond[2]. There is then a Pentapeptide attatched to the NAM amino acid which forms cross-links with other polysaccharide chains forming a 3D mesh-like layer. These cross-links are formed using the enzyme Glycopeptide transpeptidase and provide peptidoglycan with stability. This stability allows it to provide mechanical support and prevent osmotic lysis from occurring in bacteria.[3]

Penicillin Inhibits the effect of peptidoglycan in bacteria by binding to Serine in the enzyme glycopeptide transpeptidase. As a result, it can no longer catalyse the formation of cross-links. The enzyme is irreversibly inhibitted which therefore results in the termination of bacterial growth. [4]

 References

  1. http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iupac/misc/glycp.html#3.9
  2. http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/courses/bio141/lecguide/unit1/prostruct/cw.html
  3. Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. (2012) Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman: pg 252
  4. ↑ Berg J., Tymoczko J and Stryer L. (2012) Biochemistry, 7th edition, New York: WH Freeman: pg 252