Preparative enzymatic synthesis of polyprenyl-pyrophosphoryl-N-acetylglucosamine, an essential lipid intermediate for the biosynthesis of various bacterial cell envelope polymers.

The WecA transferase is an integral membrane protein and a member of the polyprenyl phosphate N-acetylhexosamine-1-phosphate transferase superfamily. It initiates the biosynthesis of various bacterial cell envelope components such as the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen. We report on the first large-scale enzymatic synthesis, purification, and characterization of the undecaprenyl-pyrophosphoryl-N-acetylglucosamine product of the WecA transferase. This is an essential lipid intermediate for the biosynthesis of various bacterial cell envelope components. Its availability in a pure form will allow the biochemical and structural characterization of the various enzymes requiring it as a substrate for the synthesis of cell wall polymers.