title: Lipoteichoic acid synthesis and function in gram-positive bacteria.
abstract: Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an important cell wall polymer found in gram-positive bacteria. Although the exact role of LTA is unknown, mutants display significant growth and physiological defects. Additionally, modification of the LTA backbone structure can provide protection against cationic antimicrobial peptides. This review provides an overview of the different LTA types and their chemical structures and synthesis pathways. The occurrence and mechanisms of LTA modifications with D-alanyl, glycosyl, and phosphocholine residues will be discussed along with their functions. Similarities between the production of type I LTA and osmoregulated periplasmic glucans in gram-negative bacteria are highlighted, indicating that LTA should perhaps be compared to these polymers rather than lipopolysaccharide, as is presently the case. Lastly, current efforts to use LTAs as vaccine candidates, synthesis proteins as novel antimicrobial targets, and LTA mutant strains as improved probiotics are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Section of Microbiology and MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ UK; email: m.percy09@imperial.ac.uk , a.grundling@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Matthew G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Percy
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gründling
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053898:Biosynthetic Pathways; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D013682:Teichoic Acids; C009900:lipoteichoic acid
keywords: bacterial cell wall; cholination; d-alanylation; glycosylation; lipid turnover; osmoregulated periplasmic glucans