A major attachment site for d-serine in the cell wall mucopeptide of Micrococcus lysodeikticus

Abstract

When Micrococcus lysodeikticus is grown in a defined medium in the presence of d-serine, the amount of glycine inserted into the mucopeptide is reduced and d-serine incorporation occurs. The cells wall mucopeptide of this organism has been isolated and analyzed for content of C- and N-terminal amino acids. It is suggested that approx. 75–80% of the incorporated d-serine can substitute for glycine and be attached via its amino group to the α-carboxyl group of glutamic acid.