pszeudopeptidoglikános

Pseudopeptidoglycans are a class of polymers that share structural similarities with peptidoglycans, the essential components of bacterial cell walls, but are distinct in their chemical makeup. While peptidoglycans are characterized by a glycan backbone of alternating N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid residues cross-linked by short peptide chains, pseudopeptidoglycans exhibit variations in these core units. For instance, instead of N-acetylmuramic acid, they may contain other amino sugar derivatives or even non-amino sugar residues. Similarly, the peptide side chains can differ in amino acid composition and linkage.

These unique structural features often lead to different properties and biological roles compared to true peptidoglycans. Pseudopeptidoglycans are typically found in the cell walls of archaea, a domain of microorganisms distinct from bacteria. In archaea, these polymers serve a comparable function of maintaining cell shape and integrity, protecting the cell from osmotic stress. However, their composition makes them resistant to lysozyme, an enzyme that degrades bacterial peptidoglycans. This resistance is a key distinguishing feature and has implications for understanding archaeal cell wall biology and potential therapeutic targets. Research into pseudopeptidoglycans continues to illuminate the diversity of microbial cell wall structures and their evolutionary significance.