Peptidoglycan Glycosyltransferase

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I. Introduction

Peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase is an enzyme required for bacterial cell wall synthesis. It catalyzes the formation of peptidoglycan from disaccharide subunits on the bacterial cell surface.

For more information see Biochemistry Online: Chapter 3B - Complex Carbohydrates/Glycans and Glycoconjugates

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II. General Structure

Wireframe
Cartoon

Note that the structure of this enzyme is composed completely of alpha helices with no beta sheets.

Cartoon and Wireframe
Solvent accessible surface: dots

The next surface display is solid and require calculations with some time delays

Map of Electrostatic potential on top of a wireframe rendering of the enzyme.

This enzyme is found on the surface of the cell membrane, which means that the enzyme would be positively charged where it interacts with the membrane (yellow and green areas).  The catalytic site is represented by the dark blue area of the map.

Cartoon with residues lining catalytic site: Glu 83 and Asp 84.

These side chains have been identified as key players in the catalytic activity of the enzyme,though their exact roles are not yet fully understood.

The ligand for peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase is penicillin. As of right now, no crystal structure of the ligand-bound enzyme complex is available.