FIGURE 6.

Model depicting MmpL3 and MmpL11 function in mycobacterial cell wall biogenesis. Data from our group and others support a model in which MmpL3 and MmpL11 are conserved mycobacterial cell wall lipid transporters. Mycolic acid biosynthesis yields the intermediate MycPL. The mycolic acid group of MycPL incorporates into TMM, which is transported by MmpL3, and into MMDAG and mycolate ester wax (WE), which are transported by MmpL11. The enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of these lipid species from MycPL remain unknown.