Pseudomurein

Definition

Pseudomurein is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of some archaea. It is similar to peptidoglycan in bacteria but has different chemical linkages and sugar components.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pseudomurein consists of repeating units of N-acetyltalosaminuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine.
2. Unlike peptidoglycan, pseudomurein has β(1→3) glycosidic bonds instead of β(1→4) glycosidic bonds.
3. Pseudomurein is resistant to lysozyme, an enzyme that breaks down bacterial cell walls containing peptidoglycan.
4. It provides structural support to archaeal cell walls, particularly in methanogens.
5. The presence of pseudomurein distinguishes certain archaea from bacteria and other archaea that do not possess it.

Review Questions

• What are the two main sugar components found in pseudomurein?
• How does the glycosidic bond in pseudomurein differ from that in peptidoglycan?
• Why is pseudomurein resistant to lysozyme?

Related terms

Peptidoglycan: A polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer outside the plasma membrane of most bacteria.

Archaea: A domain of single-celled microorganisms that are distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, often found in extreme environments.

Methanogens: A group of archaea that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct under anaerobic conditions.