Cardiolipin aids in lipopolysaccharide transport to the gram-negative outer membrane
Martin V. Douglass, François Cléon, M. Stephen Trent
Abstract
Significance The outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria is a major deterrent for antibiotic entry, making it difficult to treat these infections. It is composed of both LPS and glycerophospholipids, where the synchronized synthesis between these two components is essential for the outer membrane’s unique permeability barrier. In this report, we identify a previously unidentified association between LPS and glycerophospholipids, where the presence of the complete repertoire of glycerophospholipids is required for efficient transport of LPS. Our results provide insight into how E. coli modifies its lipid composition to maintain the outer membrane’s formidable barrier function.
Topics & Concepts
GlycerophospholipidsBacterial outer membraneCardiolipinLipopolysaccharideGram-negative bacteriaCardiolipinsBiologyGlycerophospholipidCell biologyMembraneBacteriaChemistryMicrobiologyBiochemistryEscherichia coliPhospholipidImmunologyGeneticsGeneLipid Membrane Structure and BehaviorBacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyEscherichia coli research studies