MurD and MurE ligases, consecutive enzymes participating in the intracellular steps of bacterial peptidoglycan biosynthesis, are important targets for antibacterial drug discovery. We have designed, synthesized, and evaluated the first d-glutamic acid-containing dual inhibitor of MurD and MurE ligases from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (ICb>50b> values between 6.4 and 180 渭M) possessing antibacterial activity against Gram-positive S. aureus and its methicillin-resistant strain (MRSA) with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 8 渭g/mL. The inhibitor was also found to be noncytotoxic for human HepG2 cells at concentrations below 200 渭M.<br>