The case of lipid II: The achilles’ heel of bacteria

Abstract

This chapter centers on the crucial role that lipid II plays on the bacterial cell wall and its putative role as the Achilles’ heel of pathogenic bacteria. Lipid II is an essential molecule for bacterial survival and biomolecules targeting this compound could interrupt the bacterial cell wall synthesis, hence causing bacterial lysis. We will concentrate here on several lipid II-acting lantibiotics, such as telavancin, vancomycin, and plusbacin. Additionally, human defensins and moenomycins will be also mentioned, as they constitute putative future biomolecules to fight bacterial infections.