peptidoglycan biosynthesis: Difference between revisions
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=Peptidoglyan Biosynthesis= | =Peptidoglyan Biosynthesis= | ||
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The synthesis of peptidogylan is highly regulated and takes place in three different places in the cell. | The synthesis of peptidogylan is highly regulated and takes place in three different places in the cell. | ||
<br />''Cytoplasmic Reactions'' The goal of the cytoplasmic reactions is to form the repeating NAM-NAG pentapeptide unit and to attach this unit to a transmembrane carrier. The transmembrane carrier is known as bactoprenol or undecaprenyl. | <br />''Cytoplasmic Reactions'' The goal of the cytoplasmic reactions is to form the repeating NAM-NAG pentapeptide unit and to attach this unit to a transmembrane carrier. The transmembrane carrier is known as bactoprenol or undecaprenyl. | ||
<br />''Membrane Reactions''Very few specifics are known about these reactions. Bactoprenol is responsible for flipping the repeating monomer units from the cytoplasm to the periplasm. Bactoprenol remains in the membrane at all times. | <br />''Membrane Reactions'' Very few specifics are known about these reactions. Bactoprenol is responsible for flipping the repeating monomer units from the cytoplasm to the periplasm. Bactoprenol remains in the membrane at all times. | ||
<br />''Periplasmic Space Reactions'' The primary goal of the periplasmic space reactions is to build polymer strands with the repeating monomer units and to cross-link these strands. | <br />''Periplasmic Space Reactions'' The primary goal of the periplasmic space reactions is to build polymer strands with the repeating monomer units and to cross-link these strands. | ||
Revision as of 20:42, 14 December 2008
Peptidoglyan Biosynthesis
An Overiew of Peptidoglycan Stucture
Peptidoglycan is also commonly referred as the cell wall. Bacteria are divided into two main categories depending on composition of their cell wall. Cells can be Gram positive, characterized by a thick layer of peptidoglycan and lack of an outer membrane or cells can be Gram negative. Gram negative cells have a thin layer of peptidoglycan between an inner and outer cell membrane. E.coli are Gram negative. Peptidoglycan in composed of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) pentapeptides. Peptidoglycan strands are crosslinked through their pentapeptide chains, which gives the structure its flexibility and strength.
The Three Main Reaction Areas of Peptidoglyan Biosynthesis
The synthesis of peptidogylan is highly regulated and takes place in three different places in the cell.
Cytoplasmic Reactions The goal of the cytoplasmic reactions is to form the repeating NAM-NAG pentapeptide unit and to attach this unit to a transmembrane carrier. The transmembrane carrier is known as bactoprenol or undecaprenyl.
Membrane Reactions Very few specifics are known about these reactions. Bactoprenol is responsible for flipping the repeating monomer units from the cytoplasm to the periplasm. Bactoprenol remains in the membrane at all times.
Periplasmic Space Reactions The primary goal of the periplasmic space reactions is to build polymer strands with the repeating monomer units and to cross-link these strands.