The growth and division of mycobacteria presents unique engineering challenges due to the bacterium's complex and multi-layered cell wall. At a minimum, this requires precise cleavage and rebuilding of the peptidoglycan sacculus coordinated with alterations to the arabinogalactan and mycolic acid layers. This activity generates small muropeptide fragments that have long been studied for their immunogenic properties, for example in Freund’s complete adjuvent. Despite their importance, relatively little is known about the fate of these molecules or how they are released as mycobacteria grow and divide. We have recently shown that pathogenic mycobacteria are capable of recycling some components of their cell wall and provided some mechanistic insights into the process including the development of new tools for probing cell wall recycling.

Mycobacterial peptidoglycan recycling

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.