T. G. Bernhardt

A potential space making role for a lytic transglycosylase in cell wall biogenesis revealed by a beta-lactamase induction phenotype in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The paper identifies a role for lytic transglycosylase SltB1 in creating space for new cell wall material during biogenesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by showing its inactivation leads to increased ampC expression.

A feedback control mechanism governs the synthesis of lipid-linked precursors of the bacterial cell wall

This study identifies a feedback mechanism in bacterial cell wall synthesis where excess lipid II inhibits MraY to regulate lipid carrier distribution among competing pathways.

Identification of FacZ as a division site placement factor in Staphylococcus aureus

The paper identifies FacZ as a novel factor involved in controlling division site placement in Staphylococcus aureus and other Firmicutes by interacting with GpsB.

A role for the Gram-negative outer membrane in bacterial shape determination

This study shows that strengthening the outer membrane of E. coli can rescue shape defects in mutants with impaired cell wall synthesis machinery.

Allosteric activation of cell wall synthesis during bacterial growth

This study identifies a dynamic structural mechanism in a bacterial cell wall synthase that couples polymerization and crosslinking during cell elongation.

Phage resistance profiling identifies new genes required for biogenesis and modification of the corynebacterial cell envelope

The paper uses phage resistance profiling to identify host genes critical for the biogenesis and modification of the corynebacterial cell envelope in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

WhyD tailors surface polymers to prevent bacteriolysis and direct cell elongation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The paper identifies WhyD as a WTA hydrolase in Streptococcus pneumoniae that prevents autolysis by controlling WTA levels and directs cell elongation.

Cell wall synthesis and remodeling dynamics determine bacterial division site architecture and cell shape

This study uses cryo-ET and fluorescence microscopy to analyze E. coli division site architecture and cell wall dynamics, revealing conserved mechanisms across bacterial species.

An essential membrane protein modulates the proteolysis of LpxC to control lipopolysaccharide synthesis in Escherichia coli

This paper identifies ClxD as a regulator of LpxC proteolysis in E. coli, controlling LPS synthesis and membrane homeostasis.

FtsW is a peptidoglycan polymerase that is activated by its cognate penicillin-binding protein

This study identifies FtsW as a peptidoglycan polymerase that requires its cognate class B PBP for activity and is essential for septal cell wall synthesis during bacterial division.

Structure and mutagenic analysis of the lipid II flippase MurJ from Escherichia coli

The paper reports the crystal structure of MurJ from E. coli, performs mutagenesis to map functional sites, and identifies co-evolved interactions supporting a rocker-switch model for lipid II transport.