Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2025

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
09:10

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth

Published on: January 7, 2022

2.4K

Gaps in the wall: understanding cell wall biology to tackle amoxicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Paddy S Gibson1, Jan-Willem Veening1

  • 1Department of Fundamental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Biophore Building, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|January 13, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae resistance to amoxicillin is a growing concern. Understanding pneumococcal response to amoxicillin and resistance evolution is crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Antibiotic Resistance

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia and otitis media.
  • Amoxicillin (AMX) is a key antibiotic for bacterial respiratory infections.
  • Pneumococcal resistance to AMX necessitates research into resistance mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pneumococcal response to amoxicillin.
  • To explore the mechanisms of AMX resistance evolution.
  • To identify novel therapeutic strategies against resistant strains.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of amoxicillin's mode of action.
  • Analysis of autolysin regulation in response to AMX.
  • Discussion of natural transformation and horizontal gene transfer in resistance.
  • Overview of current research gaps in cell wall synthesis.
  • Exploration of natural competence inhibitors and high-throughput screening.

Main Results:

  • Amoxicillin targets peptidoglycan synthesis, affecting cell wall integrity.
  • Autolysin regulation is altered, contributing to AMX resistance.
  • Natural transformation facilitates the spread of resistance genes.
  • Knowledge gaps exist in pneumococcal cell wall component synthesis and translocation.
  • Novel therapeutic approaches are being investigated.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding AMX resistance in S. pneumoniae is critical.
  • Targeting cell wall synthesis and horizontal gene transfer offers potential therapeutic avenues.
  • Further research is needed to overcome existing resistance and develop new treatments.

More Related Videos

Stress-induced Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing on a Chip12:41

Stress-induced Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing on a Chip

Published on: January 8, 2014

6.5K
Isolation and Preparation of Bacterial Cell Walls for Compositional Analysis by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography11:18

Isolation and Preparation of Bacterial Cell Walls for Compositional Analysis by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography

Published on: January 15, 2014

16.4K

Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Cell Wall01:22

Bacterial Cell Wall

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...
180
Archaeal Cell Wall01:29

Archaeal Cell Wall

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...
101
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
70
Plant Cell Wall02:43

Plant Cell Wall

The plant cell wall gives plant cells shape, support, and protection. As a cell matures, its cell wall specializes according to the cell type. For example, the parenchyma cells of leaves possess only a thin, primary cell wall.
57.0K
Peptidoglycan Synthesis01:28

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

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...
165
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
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...
1.5K