Outer membrane lipid homeostasis in Gram-negative bacteria (IMAGE)

National University of Singapore

Outer membrane lipid homeostasis in Gram-negative bacteria

Caption

The Tol-Pal complex maintains bacterial outer membrane (OM) stability by regulating lipid homeostasis. (Left) In Gram-negative bacteria, the OM acts as a protective barrier, blocking entry of harmful substances like antibiotics. (Right) The Tol-Pal complex spans the cell envelope, using energy from the cytoplasmic membrane (in the form of a proton gradient) to drive lipid transport. This retrograde transport process retrieves excess phospholipids (purple) from the OM back to the cytoplasmic membrane, ensuring membrane balance and integrity.

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National University of Singapore

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