What is peptidoglycan made up of?
1 Answer
May 19, 2015
A peptidoglycan is a cross-linked polymer of sugars and short peptides that makes up the cell walls of all bacteria.
See the schematic diagram below.
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The sugar component consists of alternating residues of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG, shown as G above)) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM, shown as M above)
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joined by β-1,4 linkages.
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Attached to the N-acetylmuramic acid is a peptide chain of three to five amino acids.
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The peptide chain can be cross-linked to the peptide chain of another strand either directly as above or by a pentaglycine bridge
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to form a 3D mesh-like layer.
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