Murein+Synthases

=__Murein Synthases__=

Murein synthases catalyse the enlargement of the sacculus, via the incorporation of additional lipid II precursor molecules. The proteins are each present at levels of 120 to 220 copies per cell and may act as either monofunctional transglycosylases, bifunctional transglycosylases/transpeptidases or monofunctional transpeptidases (Vollmer and Bertsche, 2008).

All murein synthases are anchored to the cytoplasmic membrane via a single transmembrane region close to their N-terminus (Voller sand Bertsche, 2008).

Murein synthases containing a transpeptidase domain are also known as Penicillin Binding Proteins (PBPs), because of their ability to covalently bind penicillin and other beta-lactam antibiotics which have structural similarity to the D-Ala-D-Ala termini of the pentapeptide side chains (Vollmer and Bertsche, 2008).

__**Non-Penicillin Binding Protein Murein Synthases**__
 * MtgA