AUTHOR=Xu Xinyue , Dong Baoyu , Peng Lijun , Gao Chao , He Zhiqun , Wang Chuan , Zeng Jumei 

TITLE=Anti-tuberculosis drug development via targeting the cell envelope of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1056608

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.1056608

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</italic> possesses a dynamic cell envelope, which consists of a peptidoglycan layer, a mycolic acid layer, and an arabinogalactan polysaccharide. This envelope possesses a highly complex and unique structure representing a barrier that protects and assists the growth of <italic>M</italic>. <italic>tuberculosis</italic> and allows its adaptation to the host. It regulates the immune response of the host cells, causing their damage. Therefore, the cell envelope of <italic>M</italic>. <italic>tuberculosis</italic> is an attractive target for vaccine and drug development. The emergence of multidrug-resistant as well as extensively drug resistant tuberculosis and co-infection with HIV prevented an effective control of this disease. Thus, the discovery and development of new drugs is a major keystone for TB treatment and control. This review mainly summarizes the development of drug enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the cell wall in <italic>M</italic>. <italic>tuberculosis</italic>, and other potential drug targets in this pathway, to provide more effective strategies for the development of new drugs.</p>