Archaeal Cell Wall

Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.

S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell Wall

The S-layer is the most prevalent type of archaeal cell wall. It consists of interlocking protein or glycoprotein molecules arranged in a highly ordered crystalline lattice. These proteins often feature repetitive units of a single protein and structural motifs that contribute to their regular geometric pattern, typically forming hexagonal, tetragonal, or other symmetrical arrangements. Such precise geometry not only enhances the structural integrity of the S-layer but also facilitates selective permeability, allowing the passage of nutrients and the exclusion of harmful substances. These layers are anchored directly to the plasma membrane, forming a robust yet flexible barrier. The S-layer serves as a primary protective structure, safeguarding archaea from environmental stresses, such as extreme temperatures, salinity, acidity, or anoxic conditions, while maintaining cellular integrity.

Pseudomurein: A Unique Structural Component

Certain archaea, particularly methanogens, have cell walls composed of pseudomurein, a polymer structurally analogous to bacterial peptidoglycan but with critical differences. Pseudomurein contains β-1,3 glycosidic bonds instead of the β-1,4 linkages found in peptidoglycan. These β-1,3 bonds are not cleaved by lysozyme, an enzyme that targets explicitly β-1,4 glycosidic bonds, thereby making pseudomurein resistant to lysozyme degradation. Additionally, pseudomurein incorporates L-amino acids in its cross-links rather than the D-amino acids found in bacterial peptidoglycan. This difference disrupts the effectiveness of penicillin, which targets bacterial enzymes that catalyze the cross-linking of D-amino acids. Pseudomurein also uses N-acetyltalosaminuronic acid (NAT) instead of N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM). NAT's distinct chemical structure and glycosidic linkage configuration provide additional resistance to enzymatic attack by antibacterial agents. These features collectively allow pseudomurein to support structural integrity and resistance in methanogens under extreme environmental conditions.

Variations and Absence of Cell Walls

Beyond the S-layer and pseudomurein, archaeal cell walls can incorporate additional elements. For instance, Methanosarcina species possess a polysaccharide layer composed of methanochondroitin, a polysaccharide that contributes to the structural integrity. Methanochondroitin shares similarities with chondroitin sulfate found in animal connective tissues, enhancing flexibility and resilience in the cell wall. Additionally, Halococcus species, which inhabit highly saline environments, have cell walls composed predominantly of negatively charged polysaccharides. These polysaccharides contain sulfate groups (SO₄²⁻) that bind abundant sodium ions (Na⁺) present in their habitats. This ionic interaction helps stabilize the cell wall and prevents cellular dehydration in hypersaline conditions. Methanospirillum species may have external protein layers augmenting their cell walls. Unique among archaea, Ignicoccus lacks a traditional cell wall, relying instead on an outer membrane rich in protein complexes for energy production and nutrient exchange, demonstrating the evolutionary innovation of this domain.

The structural diversity of archaeal cell walls underscores their ecological versatility and resilience. They enable survival in extreme environments, ranging from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to highly saline or acidic habitats.