Glycopeptidolipid synthesis in mycobacteria

Abstract

Glycopeptidolipids (GPL) are abundant components of the cell walls of several species of mycobacteria. They have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the opportunistic mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex. This article describes studies on the biochemistry and genetics of GPLs synthesis in the saprophyte Mycobacterium smegmatis and opportunistic pathogen M. avium.