Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026
11:18
Isolation and Preparation of Bacterial Cell Walls for Compositional Analysis by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography
Published on: January 15, 2014
17.1K
Analysis of Cell Wall Teichoic Acids in Staphylococcus aureus
Gonçalo Covas1, Filipa Vaz1, Gabriela Henriques2
1Laboratory of Bacterial Cell Surfaces and Pathogenesis, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República, Apartado 127, 2781-901, Oeiras, Portugal.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|June 18, 2016
Summary
This study presents methods to analyze wall teichoic acids (WTA) in Staphylococcus aureus. These techniques quantify WTA, identify sugar components, and compare polymerization degrees across strains.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial cell wall composition
- Host-pathogen interactions
Background:
- Bacterial cell surfaces are crucial for shape and host immune recognition.
- Peptidoglycan (PGN) is a primary component, often masked by wall teichoic acids (WTA) in Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus.
- WTA are phosphate-rich polymers influencing bacterial properties and host interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and present methods for analyzing and comparing WTA composition in different S. aureus strains.
- To enable detailed characterization of WTA structure and abundance.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of total WTA via inorganic phosphate determination in phosphodiester linkages.
- Identification of constituent sugars using High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD) after acid hydrolysis.
- Comparison of WTA polymerization degree by analyzing migration patterns in Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE).
Main Results:
- Established protocols for comprehensive WTA analysis in S. aureus.
- Demonstrated ability to differentiate strains based on WTA profiles.
- Provided a framework for understanding WTA heterogeneity and its implications.
Conclusions:
- The described methods offer a robust approach to characterizing S. aureus WTA.
- Understanding WTA composition is vital for studying bacterial virulence and host immune responses.
- These techniques facilitate comparative analyses of WTA across diverse bacterial strains.
Keywords:
Bacterial cell surfaceBacterial cell wallBacterial glycopolymersHPAEC-PADHPLCMonosaccharide analysisPAGEStaphylococcus aureusWall teichoic acids (WTA)More Related Videos
06:36Improved Enzyme Protection Assay to Study Staphylococcus aureus Internalization and Intracellular Efficacy of Antimicrobial Compounds
Published on: September 8, 2021
3.3K
09:09Semi-Quantitative Analysis of Peptidoglycan by Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Bioinformatics
Published on: October 13, 2020
5.2K
Related Concept Videos
01:22Bacterial Cell Wall
5.1K
The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and protecting against osmotic stress. This rigid yet flexible structure primarily comprises peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like matrix conferring mechanical strength and flexibility.Peptidoglycan Composition and StructurePeptidoglycan, the core of the bacterial cell wall, comprises alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and...
5.1K
01:29Archaeal Cell Wall
1.5K
Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
1.5K
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
4
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
4
01:23Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
8
Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
8
01:25Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA
37
Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and...
37
01:28Peptidoglycan Synthesis
3.9K
Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan...
3.9K