Undecaprenyl phosphate (Bactoprenol phosphate) (C55-P)

Undecaprenyl phosphate, commonly known as bactoprenol phosphate, is a specialized C55 isoprenoid lipid that plays a fundamental role in the biosynthesis of the bacterial cell wall (PubMed: 23123937). It functions as a membrane-bound carrier, transporting polar precursors of peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, and lipopolysaccharides from the cytoplasm across the hydrophobic cell membrane to the periplasmic space for assembly (UniProt: P0AFG0). This transport cycle is critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the bacterial cell, and its disruption is lethal to the organism. Because the bactoprenol cycle is unique to bacteria and absent in eukaryotes, it represents a highly selective target for antimicrobial therapy. Antibiotics such as bacitracin exert their effect by binding to undecaprenyl pyrophosphate, preventing its dephosphorylation into the active monophosphate form, thereby stalling the cell wall synthesis machinery (StatPearls: NBK536977). Other agents, like friulimicin B, directly sequester the lipid carrier, highlighting its vulnerability as a therapeutic node (Nature: 10.1038/nature06459). The depletion of the available pool of this lipid carrier leads to the cessation of cell wall growth and eventual bacterial lysis. Research continues to explore this target to overcome resistance mechanisms seen with traditional antibiotics.

Other names

BactoprenolUndecaprenyl phosphateUndecaprenyl pyrophosphateC55-isoprenyl phosphateBactoprenol phosphateUndecaprenol

Inhibition of undecaprenyl pyrophosphate dephosphorylation or sequestration of the lipid carrier to prevent precursor transport.