title: Peptidoglycan remodeling by the coordinated action of multispecific enzymes.
abstract: The peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall constitutes the main defense barrier of bacteria against environmental insults and acts as communication interface. The biochemistry of this macromolecule has been well characterized throughout the years but recent discoveries have unveiled its chemical plasticity under environmental stresses. Non-canonical D-amino acids (NCDAA) are produced and released to the extracellular media by diverse bacteria. Such molecules govern cell wall adaptation to challenging environments through their incorporation into the polymer, a widespread capability among bacteria that reveals the inherent catalytic plasticity of the enzymes involved in the cell wall metabolism. Here, we analyze the recent structural and biochemical characterization of Bsr, a new family of broad spectrum racemases able to generate a wide range of NCDAA. We also discuss the necessity of a coordinated action of PG multispecific enzymes to generate adequate levels of modification in the murein sacculus. Finally, we also highlight how this catalytic plasticity of NCDAA-incorporating enzymes has allowed the development of new revolutionary methodologies for the study of PG modes of growth and in vivo dynamics.
authors.affiliation: 1 Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden, Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå Centre for Microbial Research, Umeå University , Umeå, Sweden .
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Akbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Espaillat
authors.forename: Juan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hermoso
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Pedro
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cava
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D020134:Catalytic Domain; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D053858:Metabolic Networks and Pathways; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D000591:Amino Acid Isomerases