A continuum of anionic charge: structures and functions of D-alanyl-teichoic acids in gram-positive bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Teichoic acids (TAs) are major wall and membrane components of most gram-positive bacteria. With few exceptions, they are polymers of glycerol-phosphate or ribitol-phosphate to which are attached glycosyl and D-alanyl ester residues. Wall TA is attached to peptidoglycan via a linkage unit, whereas lipoteichoic acid is attached to glycolipid intercalated in the membrane. Together with peptidoglycan, these polymers make up a polyanionic matrix that functions in (i) cation homeostasis; (ii) trafficking of ions, nutrients, proteins, and antibiotics; (iii) regulation of autolysins; and (iv) presentation of envelope proteins. The esterification of TAs with D-alanyl esters provides a means of modulating the net anionic charge, determining the cationic binding capacity, and displaying cations in t

SUBMITTER: Neuhaus FC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC309049 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature