P. Colton -
Penicillin inhibits the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan by blocking
crosslinking. The antibotic is a structural analog of D-alanyl-D-alanine
so it is recognized by the transpeptidase. Peptidoglycan is the cell wall
polymer found exclusively in prokaryotic cells.
Joseph DiRienzo, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania
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