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Peptidoglycan Structure

2011; Academic Press; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/b978-0-12-387730-7.00005-x

0580-9517

Peter Schümann,

Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Information on the peptidoglycan structure is an indispensable component for the description of new genera of Gram-positive bacteria. In certain genera, structural variations of the peptidoglycan support even the differentiation at the species level. The analysis of the peptidoglycan requires the isolation and purification of this three-dimensionally cross-linked polymer, a set of analytical techniques to identify and to quantify its components as well as specific knowledge on how to conclude structural information from the data. Though there are several review articles describing the rather cumbersome procedure of analyzing the peptidoglycan structure, the respective methods are not widely used, and many laboratories have to seek cooperation or service for peptidoglycan analyses. This chapter has the aim to provide taxonomists with detailed and feasible protocols including contemporary analytical approaches for the stepwise elucidation of the peptidoglycan structure and advice on how to evaluate the results.