Question

From a pathogenic microbiology perspective, knowing the cell wall/cell envelop composition of a bacterium is critical. Why?

Answer 1

Pathogenic bactria can causes disease in the host. Cell wall acts as the protecting structure for the bacteria. It provide support to the cell, protect from mechanical stress etc. Therefore, damaging the defence structure of bacteria may help host to get rid of the infection. Understanding the role of various enzymes, components of the cell wall may help in identification of targets for the drug molecule. For e.g.. antibiotic penicillin acts on the enzyme transpeptidase. Functions of transpeptidase is to cross link two peptidoglycan layers made up of alternate units of NAM and NAG, which gives integrity to the bacterial cell wall. Binding of penicillin to transpeptidase lose its function and hence in the absence of cross-linking cell wall loses its integrity, which lead to cell lysis. Here, we could target transpeptidase because its function and role in the integrity of cell membrane was known. Therefore from pathogenic microbiology perspective, knowing bacterial cell wall composition is critical.