Phospholipid retention in the absence of asymmetry strengthens the outer membrane permeability barrier to last-resort antibiotics.

ABSTRACT: The outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is a critical barrier that prevents entry of noxious compounds. Integral to this functionality is the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipooligosaccharide (LOS), a molecule that is located exclusively in the outer leaflet of the outer membrane. Its lipid anchor, lipid A, is a glycolipid whose hydrophobicity and net negative charge are primarily responsible for the robustness of the membrane. Because of this, lipid A is a hallmark of Gram-negative physiology and is generally essential for survival. Rare exceptions have been described, including Acinetobacter baumannii, which can survive in the absence of lipid A, albeit with significant growth and membrane permeability defects. Here, we show by an evolution experiment that LOS-defic

SUBMITTER: Powers MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6130378 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature