Prokaryotic Cell Wall Compounds Structure and Biochemistry
Microbial cell wall structures play a significant role in maintaining cells’ shape, as protecting layers against harmful agents, in cell adhesion and in positive and negative biological activities with host cells. All prokaryotes, whether they are bacteri
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Prokaryotic Cell Wall Compounds Structure and Biochemistry
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Prokaryotic Cell Wall Compounds
Helmut Ko¨nig Editors
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Harald Claus
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Ajit Varma
Prokaryotic Cell Wall Compounds Structure and Biochemistry
Editors Prof. Dr. Helmut Ko¨nig Institute of Microbiology and Wine Research Johannes Gutenberg-University Becherweg 15 55099 Mainz, Germany [email protected]
Dr. Harald Claus Institute of Microbiology and Wine Research Johannes Gutenberg-University Becherweg 15 55099 Mainz, Germany [email protected]
Prof. Dr. Ajit Varma Director General Amity Institute of Microbial Technology Amity University Uttar Pradesh & Vice Chairman Amity Science, Technology & Innovation Foundation Block A, Amity Campus Sector 125 Noida, UP 201303, India [email protected]
ISBN 978-3-642-05061-9 e-ISBN 978-3-642-05062-6 DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-05062-6 Springer Heidelberg Dordrecht London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2010922367 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: WMXDesign GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
Terry passed away shortly after writing the foreword. The death of Terry is not only a great loss for his family but also for his colleagues and the microbiological community. We offer our condolences and retain him in memory.
Foreword
Prokaryote cells are uncomplicated cells possessing a simple design. All prokaryotes, whether they are archaea or bacteria, rely on their surfaces for multiple functions, including being a barrier with their external environment; most do this via a cell envelope of which the most important structure is the cell wall. There are two fundamental structural varieties of walls, that is, the Gram-positive or Gramnegative formats, and many bacteria also possess associated structural layers on top of the wall, for example, capsules, sheaths, or S-layers. Since prokaryotes are the most diverse and ubiquitous life forms on Earth, involved in almost all natural cycles, including elemental cycling and many forms of disease, their surfaces are the required primary interface between the cell and its surroundings, often mediating or catal
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