Researchers from Umeå University in Sweden and Cornell University in the US have discovered a mechanism in bacteria that enhances their defense against environmental threats. The study focused on the peptidoglycan cell wall, which helps bacteria withstand internal and external pressures. The researchers found that a specific type of crosslinking in the cell wall, known as LD-crosslinking, inhibits the activity of lytic transglycolases, enzymes that break down peptidoglycan chains. This discovery is significant as it sheds light on the regulatory mechanisms governing these enzymes, which play a crucial role in bacterial cell wall homeostasis.
The findings have major biological implications, as some bacteria use lytic transglycolases to release cell wall fragments that modulate the host immune system. Additionally, certain bacteria and viruses exploit these enzymes to kill other bacteria. By controlling the activity of lytic transglycolases through LD-crosslinking, bacteria can protect themselves from attacks from their surroundings. This knowledge has important implications for understanding how bacteria defend themselves against threats and opens up new possibilities for developing novel antibacterial therapies.
The discovery addresses a gap in our understanding of the role of LD-crosslinking in bacterial cell wall homeostasis. The researchers have shown that bacteria can enhance their protection against environmental threats, including attacks from phages, by making a structural modification to their cell wall. This insight provides valuable information on how bacteria maintain their defenses and survive in various environments. By targeting LD-crosslinking, it may be possible to design treatments that weaken bacteria’s defenses, making them more susceptible to antibiotics and immune responses.
The study was led by Felipe Cava’s laboratory at Umeå University in collaboration with researchers at Cornell University. The research team’s findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications and were supported by funding from the Swedish Research Council, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, and the Kempe Foundations. This support has enabled the researchers to explore new avenues in antibacterial research and develop potential strategies for combating bacterial infections more effectively.
Overall, the discovery of the inhibitory effect of LD-crosslinking on lytic transglycolases in bacterial cell walls represents a significant advancement in understanding how bacteria protect themselves from environmental threats. By uncovering this regulatory mechanism, the researchers have provided insights into bacterial cell wall homeostasis and potential targets for new antibacterial therapies. This knowledge could lead to the development of treatments that disrupt bacteria’s defenses, making them more vulnerable to existing antibiotics and immune responses. The study contributes to the ongoing efforts to combat antibiotic resistance and develop innovative strategies to address bacterial infections.