Merck, L2515-10MG, Lipoteichoic acid from Staphylococcus aureus

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a linear polymer of phosphodiester-linked glycerol phosphate covalently bound to a lipid. The C2 position on the glycerol-phosphate is usually glycosylated or D-alanylated. LTA is amphipathic due to the presence of the negatively charged backbone of glycerol phosphate and the hydrophobic lipid. The lipid portion is bound hydrophobically to the cell membrane, whereas the polyglycerol phosphate portion extends into the cell wall.