Membrane Proteins ClcB, PtsI, and YcaM Mediate the Bactericidal Effects of Colistin in <i>Escherichia coli</i>.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria can be killed very effectively by targeting their first line of protection. The cell membranes (outer and inner membranes) of Gram-negative bacteria are directly targeted by antibiotics, such as polymyxins, via electrostatic interactions with their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fraction. The downstream effects─preceding the cell death─of the disruptions of the bacterial membranes upon the intercalation of these antibiotics are unknown. By screening a set of E. coli membrane protein knockouts, the absence of three membrane transporters was shown to influence the susceptibility to colistin. Their involvement was corroborated with growth assays on gain-of-function strains, cytotoxic assays, and in vivo infections in an invertebrate animal model. This is the first-time eviden

SUBMITTER: Donafee R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12624714 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature