Life Sciences Commons^™

Biosynthesis And Roles Of Virulence Conferring Cell Wall Associated Dimycocerosate Esters In Mycobacterium Marinum, Poornima Mohandas

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Mycobacterial species include a variety of obligate and opportunistic pathogens that cause several important diseases affecting mankind such as tuberculosis and leprosy. The most unique feature of these bacteria is their intricate cell wall that poses a permeability barrier to antibiotics and contributes to their pathogenicity and persistence within the host. The cell wall hosts several complex lipids such as dimycocerosate esters (DIMs), which are found in many clinically relevant pathogenic species of mycobacteria. DIMs have been implicated in the virulence of mycobacteria and play a major role in helping the bacteria evade host immune responses. It is therefore crucial …