Identification of the asparagine synthase responsible for D-Asp amidation in the Lactococcus lactis peptidoglycan interpeptide crossbridge

J Bacteriol. 2009 Jun;191(11):3752-7. doi: 10.1128/JB.00126-09. Epub 2009 Mar 27.

Abstract

We show that in Lactococcus lactis, the gene asnH encodes the asparagine synthase involved in amidation of D-Asp present in peptidoglycan side chains and crossbridges. The level of D-Asp amidation in peptidoglycan has a strong effect on the sensitivity of bacteria to endogenous autolysins and to the cationic antimicrobials nisin and lysozyme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase / genetics
  • Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • D-Aspartic Acid / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Lactococcus lactis / drug effects
  • Lactococcus lactis / enzymology*
  • Muramidase / pharmacology
  • N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase / metabolism
  • Nisin / pharmacology
  • Peptidoglycan / chemistry
  • Peptidoglycan / metabolism*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Peptidoglycan
  • Nisin
  • D-Aspartic Acid
  • Muramidase
  • N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase
  • Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase