title: The wall teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid polymers of Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: Staphylococci and most other Gram-positive bacteria incorporate complex teichoic acid (TA) polymers into their cell envelopes. Several crucial roles in Staphylococcus aureus fitness and cell wall maintenance have been assigned to these polymers, which are either covalently linked to peptidoglycan (wall teichoic acid, WTA) or to the cytoplasmic membrane (lipoteichoic acid, LTA). However, the exact TA structures, functions, and biosynthetic pathways are only superficially understood. Recently, most of the enzymes mediating TA biosynthesis have been identified and mutants lacking or with defined changes in WTA or LTA have become available. Their characterization has revealed crucial roles of TAs in protection against harmful molecules and environmental stresses; in control of enzymes directing cell division or morphogenesis and of cation homeostasis; and in interaction with host or bacteriophage receptors and biomaterials. Accordingly, several in vivo studies have demonstrated the importance of WTA and LTA in S. aureus colonization, infection, and immune evasion. TAs and enzymes required for TA biosynthesis represent attractive candidates for novel vaccines and antibiotics and are targeted by recently developed antibacterial therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cellular and Molecular Microbiology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Strasse 6, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kohler
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peschel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013209:Staphylococcal Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D013209:Staphylococcal Vaccines; D013682:Teichoic Acids