Nascent teichoic acids insertion into the cell wall directs the localization and activity of the major pneumococcal autolysin LytA

•Peptidoglycan which sustains bacterial growth is targeted by b-lactam antibiotics.•Spread of antibiotic resistance requires the development of new antibacterial drugs.•The cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria carries teichoic acids and virulence factors.•Function and surface localization of virulence factors are regulated by teichoic acids.•Anti-bacterial strategy should target the localization of surface virulence factors.