Identification of the asparagine synthase responsible for D-Asp amidation in the Lactococcus lactis peptidoglycan interpeptide crossbridge.
We show that in Lactococcus lactis, the gene asnH encodes the asparagine synthase involved in amidation of D-Asp present in peptidoglycan side chains and crossbridges. The level of D-Asp amidation in peptidoglycan has a strong effect on the sensitivity of bacteria to endogenous autolysins and to the cationic antimicrobials nisin and lysozyme.
Veiga
Patrick
P
INRA, UR888 Bactéries Lactiques et Pathogènes Opportunistes, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Erkelenz
Michael
M
Bernard
Elvis
E
Courtin
Pascal
P
Kulakauskas
Saulius
S
Chapot-Chartier
Marie-Pierre
MP