A methanogen hydrolase reveals the structure of archaeal peptidoglycan

Key Points:

• The research project was supported by multiple fellowships and grants from institutions including Labex IBEID, Institut Pasteur, Austrian Science Fund, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, European Research Council, and others, highlighting extensive funding collaboration.
• Key contributors include Robert Smith and Nika Pende, who prepared and analyzed Methanobrevibacter smithii cells, identified the enzyme ArmA, and performed various biochemical and imaging analyses.
• The study involved a multidisciplinary team from institutions across France, Austria, and Germany, encompassing expertise in microbiology, bioinformatics, proteomics, microscopy, and molecular biology.
• Methodologies employed included cryo-electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, proteomic analysis, LC–MS, NMR, immunolabelling, and genetic engineering to investigate archaeal cell wall components and enzymatic activities.
• Correspondence regarding the study can be directed to Ivo Gomperts Boneca or Simonetta Gribaldo, who led the research and manuscript preparation with contributions from all authors.