Mode of action of Myxococcus xanthus antibiotic TA

Antibiotic TA inhibited incorporation of diaminopimelic acid and uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine into Escherichia coli cell walls without altering the ratio of cross-linked to uncross-linked peptidoglycan. Formation of the lipid intermediate was not blocked by TA, suggesting that TA interferes with polymerization of the lipid-disaccharide-pentapeptide.