Visualizing Teixobactin Supramolecular Assemblies and Cell Wall Damage in B. Subtilis Using CryoEM

The antibiotic teixobactin targets bacterial cell walls. Previous research has proposed that the active form of teixobactin is a nano-/micron-sized supramolecular assembly. Here, we use cryogenic transmission electron microscopy to show that at 1 mg/mL, teixobactin forms sheet-like assemblies that selectively act upon the cell wall. At 4 mu g/mL, teixobactin is active, and aggregates are formed either transiently or sparingly at the cell surface.

Automated summary

Teixobactin, an antibiotic, targets bacterial cell walls by forming sheet-like assemblies, which are active when formed either transiently or sparingly at the cell surface at a concentration of 4 μg/mL.