The cell envelope-associated phospholipid-binding protein LmeA is required for mannan polymerization in mycobacteria.

The integrity of the distinguishing, multilaminate cell envelope surrounding mycobacteria is critical to their survival and pathogenesis. The prevalence of phosphatidylinositol mannosides in the cell envelope suggests an important role in the mycobacterial life cycle. Indeed, deletion of the gene (Δ) encoding the first committed step in phosphatidylinositol hexamannoside biosynthesis in results in the formation of smaller colonies than wild-type colonies on Middlebrook 7H10 agar.