WTA Beta

Teichoic acids (TA) are bacterial polysaccharides found within the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria including SA. Wall teichoic acids (WTA) are those covalently linked to the peptidoglycan (PDG) layer of the cell wall; whereas lipoteichoic acids (LTA) are those covalently linked to the lipids of the cytoplasmic membrane. These glycopolymers play crucial roles in bacterial survival under disadvantageous conditions and in other basic cellular processes. The known WTA structures vary widely between bacterial species. S aureus TAs are composed of repetitive polyol phosphate subunits such as ribitol phosphate or glycerol phosphate. Given their structural diversity and variability, WTAs are considered attractive targets for antibodies and as vaccines.