Nacetylmuramové

N-acetylmuramic acid, often abbreviated as NAM, is a monosaccharide derivative found in the cell walls of most bacteria. It is a key component of peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like layer outside the bacterial cell membrane. NAM is structurally similar to N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), another monosaccharide that also forms part of the peptidoglycan backbone. In peptidoglycan, NAM and NAG units are alternatingly linked to form long glycan chains. These chains are then cross-linked by short peptide bridges, providing structural rigidity to the bacterial cell wall.

The presence of N-acetylmuramic acid is a characteristic feature of bacterial cell walls, distinguishing them from the cell membranes of eukaryotes and archaea. This unique structure makes peptidoglycan, and therefore NAM, a target for various antimicrobial agents. For instance, the antibiotic penicillin works by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for synthesizing the peptide cross-links in peptidoglycan, weakening the cell wall and leading to bacterial lysis. Research into the biosynthesis and structure of peptidoglycan, including the role of NAM, continues to be an important area in microbiology and the development of new antibiotics. NAM is synthesized from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine.