Alterations in peptidoglycan of Neisseria gonorrhoeae induced by sub-MICs of beta-lactam antibiotics.

Exposure of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to sub-MICs of selected beta-lactam antibiotics caused distortion of normal cell morphology. Analysis of the peptidoglycan indicated that the cells were accumulating increased quantities of disaccharide pentapeptide in their cell walls. The O-acetylated form of the disaccharide pentapeptide was not detected among the major peaks. The correlation of antibiotic binding to gonococcal penicillin-binding protein 2 and accumulation of non-O-acetylated disaccharide pentapeptide suggested an explanation for the previously observed relationship of penicillin-binding protein 2 and O-acetylation of peptidoglycan.