The Murein Sacculus, the Bacterial Exoskeleton-Structure and Function in the Bacterium and Possible Role in the Host Organism

Staphylococcal endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase inhibits response of human lymphocytes to mitogens and interferes with production of antibodies in mice.

“…On the other hand, it is well established that both polymeric peptidoglycan and peptidoglycan glycopeptides (which are substrates and competitive inhibitors of these enzymes) have an immunomodulating effect (30,39). It is also known that bacterial peptidoglycan undergoes extensive turnover (up to 50% per generation) during which a variety of glycopeptides (muropeptides) are released (40). Probably as a consequence of this, muropeptides are ordinarily found in urine of people who do not suffer from infections (41).…”