Pseudopeptidoglycan
Pseudopeptidoglycan is a major cell wall component of some Archaea that differs from bacterial peptidoglycan in chemical structure, but resembles bacterial peptidoglycan in function and physical structure. The basic components are N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetyltalosaminuronic acid, which are linked by β-1,3-glycosidic bonds.
Lysozyme, a host defense mechanism present in human secretions breaks β-1,4-glycosidic bonds to degrade peptidoglycan; however because pseudopeptidoglycan has β-1,3-glycosidic bonds, lysozyme is ineffective.
Pseudomurein can be degraded by pseudomurein endoisopeptidase found in two prophages.
