Bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis and recognition by the innate immune system

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology

Peptidoglycan assembly machines: The Staphylococcus aureus Penicillin-Binding Proteins

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology

Amidation of peptidoglycan in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important contemporary human pathogens. The evolutionary “success” of this species is closely related to its remarkably capacity to acquire antibiotic resistance traits. In this perspective, it is important to extend our knowledge concerning the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in S. aureus and to identify new antimicrobials targets.(...)

Insights into cell wall synthesis and cell division in Staphylococcus aureus

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology

Studies towards modified chitooligosaccharides: a new approach to NAG-NAM moiety

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Bioorgânica

Determinants for the subcellular localization of the inner and outer spore coat hubs in Bacillus subtilis

Endospores, or spores for simplicity, are a highly resistant cell type produced by some bacterial species under adverse conditions. Two main protective layers contribute to the resilience of spores: the cortex, composed of peptidoglycan, and the outermost proteinaceous coat. In Bacillus subtilis, the coat comprises up to 80 different proteins, organized into four sublayers: the basement layer, the inner coat, the outer coat and the crust. These proteins are synthesized at different times during sporulation and deposited at the spore surface in multiple coordinated waves. Central to coat formation is a group of morphogenetic proteins that guide the assembly of the coat components. Targeting of the coat proteins to the surface of the developing spore is mainly controlled by the SpoIVA morphogenetic ATPase. In a second stage, the coat proteins fully encircle the spore, a process termed encasement that requires the morphogenetic protein SpoVID. Assembly of the inner coat requires SafA, whereas formation of the outer coat and the crust requires CotE. SafA interacts directly with the N terminus of SpoVID. (...)