Adaptation of the periplasm to maintain spatial constraints essential for cell envelope processes and cell viability.

ABSTRACT: The cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria consists of two membranes surrounding a periplasm and peptidoglycan layer. Molecular machines spanning the cell envelope depend on spatial constraints and load-bearing forces across the cell envelope and surface. The mechanisms dictating spatial constraints across the cell envelope remain incompletely defined. In Escherichia coli, the coiled-coil lipoprotein Lpp contributes the only covalent linkage between the outer membrane and the underlying peptidoglycan layer. Using proteomics, molecular dynamics, and a synthetic lethal screen, we show that lengthening Lpp to the upper limit does not change the spatial constraint but is accommodated by other factors which thereby become essential for viability. Our findings demonstrate E. coli

SUBMITTER: Mandela E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8824477 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature