Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
Published on: January 7, 2022
The biology of Mur ligases as an antibacterial target
Imène Kouidmi1, Roger C Levesque, Catherine Paradis-Bleau
1Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract:
With antibiotic resistance mechanisms increasing in diversity and spreading among bacterial pathogens, the development of new classes of antibacterial agents against judiciously chosen targets is a high-priority task. The biochemical pathway for peptidoglycan biosynthesis is one of the best sources of antibacterial targets. Within this pathway are the Mur ligases, described in this review as highly suitable targets for the development of new classes of antibacterial agents. The amide ligases MurC, MurD, MurE and MurF function with the same catalytic mechanism and share conserved amino acid regions and structural features that can conceivably be exploited for the design of inhibitors that simultaneously target more than one enzyme. This would provide multi-target antibacterial weapons with minimized likelihood of target-mediated resistance development.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis
Biological Methods for Microbial Control

