229k views
0 votes
Which class of glycoconjugates contain both d and l-amino acids?

User Okuhle
by
8.1k points

2 Answers

2 votes
I believe peptidoglycans (Murein) contain both d and I-amino acids.
User Hugo Trentesaux
by
8.5k points
1 vote

The right answer is B. peptidoglycans.

Peptidoglycan (or murine, or mucocomplex, or mucopeptide) is a component of the bacterial wall maintaining the shape of cells and providing mechanical protection against osmotic pressure. It forms a thin layer in Gram-negative bacteria and a thick layer in Gram-positive bacteria.

It consists of a carbohydrate moiety (= polysaccharide) and a peptide moiety. The polysaccharide is a glycosaminopeptide polymer wherein N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetyl-muramic acid (NAM) are linked by beta (1-4) osidic bonds. This bond can be cut off by lysozyme. NAM is a specific compound of bacterial walls. Two polysaccharides are linked by peptide bridges at the level of the NAM, formed by different amino acids: D-alanine, L-alanine, glutamic acid, L-lysine, diaminopimelic acid (lysine analog). Amino acids D are specific for the bacterial wall, they are never found elsewhere.

User Centro
by
8.0k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.