Microbial cell, antigenic structure

This review will address the structure and biosynthesis of important microbial cell wall polysaccharides, as well as chemical syntheses of these stmctures, and their roles in human diseases and disease treatments. The document is divided into sections discussing bacterial peptidoglycan, the Gram-negative outer membrane, corynebacterial cell wall components, and capsular antigens. 

Microbial cell-wall-lytic enzymes are widely used in the laboratory for cell breakage, proto-plasting of yeasts and bacteria, and for studies of the structure and composition of microbial cell walls (J ). Recently lytic systems have come under consideration as a specific and chemically mild way to rupture microbial cells on an industrial scale (2 ). There appear to be attractive commercial applications of lytic systems for the recovery of enzymes, antigens and other recombinant products accumulated within cells, for upgrading of microbial biomass for food and feed uses (4 5) and for the manufacture of functional biopolymers from cell wall carbohydrates (6). 

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