Bactericidal membrane attack complex formation initiates at the new pole of E. coli.

ABSTRACT: Human immune protection against bacteria critically depends on activation of the complement system. The direct bacteriolytic activity of complement molecules against Gram-negative bacteria acts via the formation of Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) pores. Bactericidal MAC pores damage the bacterial outer membrane, leading to destabilization of the inner membrane. Although it is well-established that inner membrane damage is crucial for bacterial cell death, the critical event causing MAC-mediated inner membrane damage remains elusive. Here we question whether the bacterial cell envelope possesses vulnerable spots for MAC pores to insert. By following the localization of MAC pores on E. coli over time using fluorescence microscopy, we elucidate that MAC deposition initiates at the new bacterial

SUBMITTER: van 't Wout MFL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12852941 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature