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D-Amino Acid Probes for Penicillin Binding Protein-based Bacterial Surface Labeling
Jonathan M Fura1, Daniel Kearns2, Marcos M Pires3
1From the Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and.
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|October 27, 2015
Summary
Bacteria can incorporate unnatural D-amino acids into their cell walls using penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). This study systematically defines the chemical and physical limits of this process, revealing key insights into bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Synthetic Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Peptidoglycan is a vital bacterial cell wall component essential for shape and integrity.
- Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) mediate the incorporation of unnatural D-amino acids into peptidoglycan.
- This metabolic process offers insights into bacterial biosynthesis and synthetic immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically determine the chemical space and physical features tolerated by PBPs for unnatural D-amino acid incorporation.
- To investigate the role of specific PBPs in this process using Bacillus subtilis PBP-null mutants.
- To establish the scope of physical parameters governing unnatural D-amino acid incorporation into bacterial peptidoglycan.
Main Methods:
- Design and synthesis of a diverse library of unnatural D-amino acid variants.
- Testing PBP tolerability of these variants in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
- Evaluation of nine Bacillus subtilis PBP-null mutants to identify key PBP players.
Main Results:
- Established the scope of physical parameters governing unnatural D-amino acid incorporation.
- Demonstrated PBP promiscuity in tolerating diverse unnatural side chains.
- Gained insights into potential primary PBPs responsible for D-amino acid incorporation.
Conclusions:
- Unnatural D-amino acid incorporation into peptidoglycan is governed by specific physical parameters.
- PBPs exhibit significant promiscuity, enabling metabolic remodeling of bacterial cell walls.
- This research advances understanding of peptidoglycan biosynthesis and synthetic biology applications.
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