Exposure of Mycobacteria to Cell Wall-inhibitory Drugs Decreases Production of Arabinoglycerolipid Related to Mycolyl-arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan Metabolism

Background: Mycolyl-arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan (mAGP) represents the hallmark of the mycobacterial cell envelope and the target of several antitubercular drugs.Results: Loss of a glycolipid structurally analogous to the terminal portion of mAGP correlates with drug treatment in mycobacteria.Conclusion: This work establishes the versatility of arabinoglycerolipids in M. tuberculosis.Significance: Further work will define the importance of the metabolic relationship between the two components in cell wall remodeling and/or pathogenesis.