biopolymer biosynthesis cell wall biogenesis polyol metabolism teichoic acid biosynthesis GO:0019350 PMID:17981078 PMID:17660278 PMID:15547257 TA biosynthesis Biosynthesis of teichoic acids (TAs), a group of phosphate-rich anionic extracellular polysaccharides found covalently bound to peptidoglycan in gram-positive bacteria TAs are polymers of glycerol or ribitol linked via phosphodiester bonds. These acids can be found in the cell wall of gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococci, Streptococci, Bacillus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium and Listeria, and appear to extend to the surface of the peptidoglycan layer. Teichoic acids are not found in the gram-negative bacteria. Teichoic acids are negatively charged and therefore contribute to the negative charge of the gram-positive cell wall. They may also provide structural support for the cell wall and act as antigen. UPa:UPA00632 PMID:16952950 pathway organic acid biosynthesis