Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
Published on: January 7, 2022
Oleanolic acid and ursolic acid affect peptidoglycan metabolism in Listeria monocytogenes
Anna Kurek1, Anna M Grudniak, Magdalena Szwed
1Department of Bacterial Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, University of Warsaw, Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland. annakurek@biol.uw.edu.pl
Abstract:
The plant pentacyclic triterpenoids, oleanolic and ursolic acids, inhibit the growth and survival of many bacteria, particularly Gram-positive species, including pathogenic ones. The effect of these compounds on the facultative human pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was examined. Both acids affected cell morphology and enhanced autolysis of the bacterial cells. Autolysis of isolated cell walls was inhibited by oleanolic acid, but the inhibitory activity of ursolic acid was less pronounced. Both compounds inhibited peptidoglycan turnover and quantitatively affected the profile of muropeptides obtained after digestion of peptidoglycan with mutanolysin. These results suggest that peptidoglycan metabolism is a cellular target of oleanolic and ursolic acids.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria

