title: Elastic, flexible peptidoglycan and bacterial cell wall properties.
abstract: The peptidoglycan sacculus serves as a mechanical framework for the cell walls of most eubacteria and largely determines cell shape. The notion that the structure is a rigid shell is contradicted by findings that peptidoglycan can expand and contract. Thus, the sacculus functions as an elastic, flexible, polyionic, amphoteric, restraining network.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, KY 40292.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Marquis
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004548:Elasticity; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010457:Peptidoglycan