This enzyme belongs to the family of glycosyltransferases, specifically the hexosyltransferases. The systematic name of this enzyme class is UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine:N-acetyl-alpha-D-muramyl(oyl-L-Ala-gamma- D-Glu-L-Lys-D-Ala-D-Ala)-diphosphoundecaprenol beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminlytransferase. Another name in common use is MurG transferase. This enzyme participates in peptidoglycan biosynthesis.
Variant reactions producing modified cell walls include (not muturally exclusive):
Replacement of lysine residue with meso-diaminopimelate combined with adjacent residues through its L-centre, as it is in Gram-negative and some Gram-positive organisms.[1]
Use of mono-trans,octa-cis-decaprenyl instead of the conventional di-trans,octa-cis-undecaprenol moiety, as found in Mycobacterium.[2]
van Heijenoort J (October 2001). "Recent advances in the formation of the bacterial peptidoglycan monomer unit". Natural Product Reports. 18 (5): 503–19. doi:10.1039/a804532a. PMID11699883.