Another brick in the wall

Trends Microbiol. 2007 Apr;15(4):147-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2007.02.003. Epub 2007 Feb 28.

Abstract

The existence of a peptidoglycan cell wall in chlamydiae has been debated for several years. Several studies suggest that these organisms synthesize a cell wall, but some of the components and biosynthetic machinery seem to be missing and a bona fide cell wall has yet to be described. A recent study has revealed that a functional pathway for meso-diaminopimelate, one of the missing bricks for the wall, exists in chlamydiae. Here, I review the chlamydial cell wall paradox and discuss the importance of this new finding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Cell Wall / chemistry
  • Cell Wall / metabolism*
  • Chlamydia / metabolism*
  • Diaminopimelic Acid / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptidoglycan / chemistry
  • Peptidoglycan / metabolism

Substances

  • Peptidoglycan
  • Diaminopimelic Acid