Peptidoglycan is a macromolecule made of long aminosugar strands cross-linked by short peptides. It forms the cell wall in bacteria surrounding the cytoplasmic membrane. The glycan strands are typically comprised of repeating N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) disaccharides. Each MurNAc is linked to a peptide of three to five amino acid residues. Disaccharide subunits are first assembled on the cytoplasmic side of the bacterial membrane on a polyisoprenoid anchor (lipid I and II). Polymerization of disaccharide subunits by transglycosylases and cross-linking of glycan strands by transpeptidases occur on the other side of the membrane. Bacterial cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors form a major class of antibiotics.

Metabolism; Glycan biosynthesis and metabolism
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PMID:18081839

Bouhss A, Trunkfield AE, Bugg TD, Mengin-Lecreulx D

The biosynthesis of peptidoglycan lipid-linked intermediates.

FEMS Microbiol Rev 32:208-33 (2008)
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PMID:18077448

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Characterization of tRNA-dependent peptide bond formation by MurM in the synthesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae peptidoglycan.

J Biol Chem 283:6402-17 (2008)
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PMID:18266853

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FEMS Microbiol Rev 32:168-207 (2008)
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PMID:11699883

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Recent advances in the formation of the bacterial peptidoglycan monomer unit.

Nat Prod Rep 18:503-19 (2001)
DOI:10.1039/a804532a

PMID:11320055

van Heijenoort  J

Formation of the glycan chains in the synthesis of bacterial peptidoglycan.

Glycobiology 11:25R-36R (2001)
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