부산대학교 도서관

Peptidoglycan is a macromolecule encapsulating the plasma membrane; virtually all bacteria require peptidoglycan for growth and survival.Peptidoglycan is the main determinant of the overall shape of bacterial cells, adding rigidity to the bacterial cell wall.Structurally, peptidoglycan is a polymer of glycan chains with peptide side chains that are cross-linked to each other.The architecture and chemical composition of peptidoglycan change in response to environmental cues and growth stages.Drugs that inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis, including β-lactams and glycopeptides, comprise more than half of all antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections in humans.