Bactoprenol

Bactoprenol is a lipid carrier ( C50 to C60 isoprenoid alcohol) is bound to the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria.

Its function is that the sugar can be made sufficiently hydrophobic intermediates in the synthesis of peptidoglycan, so that they can be passed through the cytoplasmic membrane ( " flipping ").

Wherein the disaccharide - pentapeptide is transported in the peptidoglycan - network to the outside, where the installation takes place. The lipid carrier is returned to the cytoplasm, and again assumes a disaccharide pentapeptide on.

This rushing through sugar intermediates can also by antibiotics, such as bacitracin inhibited, which can be formed from several Bacillus species.