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Bacterial peptidoglycan (murein) hydrolases

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Waldemar Vollmer

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Abstract

Most bacteria have multiple peptidoglycan hydrolases capable of cleaving covalent bonds in peptidoglycan sacculi or its fragments. An overview of the different classes of peptidoglycan hydrolases and their cleavage sites is provided. The physiological functions of these enzymes include the regulation of cell wall growth, the turnover of peptidoglycan during growth, the separation of daughter cells during cell division and autolysis. Specialized hydrolases enlarge the pores in the peptidoglycan for the assembly of large trans-envelope complexes (pili, flagella, secretion systems), or they specifically cleave peptidoglycan during sporulation or spore germination. Moreover, peptidoglycan hydrolases are involved in lysis phenomena such as fratricide or developmental lysis occurring in bacterial populations. We will also review the current view on the regulation of autolysins and on the role of cytoplasm hydrolases in peptidoglycan recycling and induction of β-lactamase. © 2008 Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Vollmer W, Joris B, Charlier P, Foster S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: FEMS Microbiology Reviews

Year: 2008

Volume: 32

Issue: 2

Pages: 259-286

ISSN (print): 0168-6445

ISSN (electronic): 1574-6976

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org.10.1111/j.1574-6976.2007.00099.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2007.00099.x

PubMed id: 18266855

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