D-Amino acid metabolism in bacteria

Bacteria produce diverse D-amino acids, which are essential components of cell wall peptidoglycan. Incorporation of these D-amino acids into peptidoglycan contributes to bacterial adaptation to environmental changes and threats. D-Amino acids have been associated with bacterial growth, biofilm formation and dispersal and regulation of peptidoglycan metabolism. The diversity of D-amino acids in bacteria is primarily due to the activities of amino acid racemases that catalyse the interconversion of the D- and L-enantiomers of amino acids. Recent studies have revealed that bacteria possess multiple enzymes with amino acid racemase activities. Therefore, elucidating F-amino acid metabolism by these enzymes is critical to understand the biological significance and behaviour of D-amino acids in bacteria. In this review, we focus on the metabolic pathways of D-amino acids in six types of bacteria.

Automated summary

Bacteria produce diverse D-amino acids that play crucial roles in cell wall peptidoglycan, bacterial growth, and adaptation to environmental changes. The activities of amino acid racemases are responsible for the diversity of D-amino acids in bacteria.