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

Mycobacterium tuberculosis 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 M . tuberculosis and allows its adaptation to the host. It regulates the immune response of the host cells, causing their damage. Therefore, the cell envelope of M . tuberculosis 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 M . tuberculosis , and other potential drug targets in this pathway, to provide more effective strategies for the development of new drugs.