Mycobacterial mycolic acid synthesis enzyme

Mycobacterial mycolic acid synthesis enzymes collectively refer to a set of enzymes in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis* and related species responsible for producing mycolic acids, which are long-chain, branched fatty acids essential for the unique mycobacterial cell wall. This multi-enzyme pathway involves several modules, chiefly the fatty acid synthase complexes (FAS-I and FAS-II, responsible for the synthesis and elongation of fatty acid chains), polyketide synthase 13 (Pks13, catalyzing a key condensation step), acyl-AMP ligase FadD32 (activates fatty acid substrate for condensation), and several ancillary enzymes (KasA/B, InhA, MabA, HadABC) that shape the backbone and chemical features of mycolic acids[1][2][3][4][6][7]. Downstream, mycolic acids are transported by MmpL3 and attached to cell wall components via the Antigen 85 complex. These enzymes are critical for mycobacterial survival and virulence, being central to the organism’s ability to resist antibiotics and immune clearance. Many of the pathway enzymes are established or promising targets for anti-tuberculosis therapy, with drugs like isoniazid, ethionamide, and several novel inhibitors in clinical or preclinical trials[6][8]. Because mycolic acid biosynthetic enzymes encompass a large group rather than a single molecular entity, this target entry is nonspecific and should be split into canonical enzyme entries (e.g., "Fatty acid synthase II", "Polyketide synthase 13") for structured databases[6][9].

Other names

Mycolic acid biosynthetic enzymesMycolate synthesis enzymesMycobacterium tuberculosis mycolic acid biosynthesis enzymesFAS-IFAS-IIPks13FadD32InhAKasAKasBMabAHadABCMmpL3Antigen 85 complex

Inhibition of fatty acid elongation (FAS-II inhibitors: isoniazid, ethionamide target InhA, KasA); Inhibition of mycolic acid condensation (Pks13 inhibitors); Inhibition of acyl-AMP ligase (FadD32 inhibitors); Inhibition of mycolic acid transport (MmpL3 inhibitors like SQ109, TB47); Disruption of cell wall integrity (Antigen 85 complex inhibitors)