The looming antibiotic-resistance crisis has penetrated the consciousness of clinicians,
researchers, policymakers, politicians and the public at large. The evolution and widespread …

The peptidoglycan layers of many gram-positive bacteria are densely functionalized with
anionic glycopolymers known as wall teichoic acids (WTAs). These polymers play crucial …

Gram-positive organisms, including the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis, have dynamic cell envelopes that mediate …

One of the major differences between Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms is the
presence or absence of an outer membrane (Figure 1). In Gram-negative organisms, the …

Bacteria use dedicated mechanisms to respond adequately to fluctuating environments and
to optimize their chances of survival in harsh conditions. One of the major stress responses …

The biological diversity of the unicellular bacteria—whether assessed by shape, food,
metabolism, or ecological niche—surely rivals (if not exceeds) that of the multicellular …

The peptidoglycan biosynthetic pathway is a critical process in the bacterial cell and is
exploited as a target for the design of antibiotics. This pathway culminates in the production …

The cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus is characterized by an extremely high degree of
cross-linking within its peptidoglycan (PGN). Penicillin-binding protein 4 (PBP4) is required …

Highlights•(p) ppGpp metabolic enzymes sense diverse stresses.•(p) ppGpp regulates
transcription initiation by targeting RNAP or GTP levels.•(p) ppGpp controls replication …

Rising drug resistance is limiting treatment options for infections by methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Herein we provide new evidence that wall teichoic acid …