biostudies-literaturePlummer AMNIGMS NIH HHS872-882https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5420074biostudies-literatureUnknown41(10)Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play a central role in the integrity of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Unfolded OMPs (uOMPs) transit across the periplasm, and subsequent folding and assembly are crucial for biogenesis. Chaperones and the essential β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex facilitate these processes. In vitro studies suggest that some chaperones sequester uOMPs in internal cavities during their periplasmic transit to prevent deleterious aggregation. Upon reaching the outer membrane, the BAM complex acts catalytically to accelerate uOMP folding. Complementary in vivo experiments have revealed the localization and activity of the BAM complex in living cells. Completing an understanding of OMP biogenesis will require a holistic view of the interplay among the indTrends in biochemical sciencesFrom Chaperones to the Membrane with a BAM!PMC5420074R01 GM079440T32 GM008403Plummer AMFleming KGfalseFrom Chaperones to the Membrane with a BAM!Outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play a central role in the integrity of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Unfolded OMPs (uOMPs) transit across the periplasm, and subsequent folding and assembly are crucial for biogenesis. Chaperones and the essential β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM) complex facilitate these processes. In vitro studies suggest that some chaperones sequester uOMPs in internal cavities during their periplasmic transit to prevent deleterious aggregation. Upon reaching the outer membrane, the BAM complex acts catalytically to accelerate uOMP folding. Complementary in vivo experiments have revealed the localization and activity of the BAM complex in living cells. Completing an understanding of OMP biogenesis will require a holistic view of the interplay among the ind2016-01-01T00:00:00Z2016 Oct2026-05-03T16:38:50.784Z2019-03-27T02:42:53ZS-EPMC54200742745042510.1016/j.tibs.2016.06.005