Teicoplanin A2-4 (CAS 91032-37-0)

Teicoplanin A2-4, identified by the CAS number 91032-37-0, is part of the teicoplanin complex, a series of glycopeptide antibiotics produced by the actinobacterium Actinoplanes teichomyceticus. This specific compound is integral to the study of bacterial cell wall synthesis inhibition. Teicoplanin A2-4 operates by specifically targeting and binding to the lipid II precursor, a vital component in the formation of bacterial cell walls. This binding action blocks the transglycosylation step of cell wall biosynthesis, effectively preventing the polymerization of peptidoglycan layers which are essential for maintaining cell integrity and viability in bacteria. In microbiological and biochemical research, Teicoplanin A2-4 is utilized as a precise tool to explore the mechanisms of bacterial growth and division, as well as the role of lipid II in these processes. Its ability to inhibit cell wall synthesis without entering the cytoplasm makes it particularly useful for studying gram-positive bacteria. Research involving Teicoplanin A2-4 also helps in elucidating the pathways of resistance development among bacteria, particularly those involving modifications in the target site of glycopeptide action. This compound thus serves as a crucial molecule in the study of bacterial physiology and the development of strategies to counteract resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics.