The structure of the substrate-free form of MurB, an essential enzyme for the synthesis of bacterial cell walls.
Benson, T.E., Walsh, C.T., Hogle, J.M.(1996) Structure 4: 47-54
- PubMed: 8805513 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0969-2126(96)00008-1
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1MBT - PubMed Abstract: 
The repeating disaccharide and pentapeptide units of the bacterial peptidoglycan layer are connected by a lactyl ether bridge biosynthesized from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine and phosphoenolpyruvate in sequential enol ether transfer and reduction steps catalyzed by MurA and MurB respectively. Knowledge of the structure and mechanism of the MurB enzyme will permit analysis of this unusual enol ether reduction reaction and may facilitate the design of inhibitors as candidate next-generation antimicrobial agents.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.