FIG. 2.

Release of peptides from the peptidoglycan polymer by the purified AmiD-His₆. Purified peptidoglycan from E. coli was digested overnight by AmiD-His₆, and the reaction mixture was analyzed using HPLC and a Nucleosil 100C₁₈ column as described in Materials and Methods. Peaks were detected at 215 nm. The main hydrolysis products identified were the free tripeptide (l-Ala-γ-d-Glu-mA₂pm; peak 1) and tetrapeptide (l-Ala-γ-d-Glu-mA₂pm-d-Ala; peak 2) and their corresponding cross-linked forms, the heptapeptide (tri-tetra; peak 3) and octapeptide (tetra-tetra; peak 4). No release of peptides was observed following incubation of peptidoglycan in the absence of AmiD-His₆ (lower profile).