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Bacterial Cell Envelopes

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Bacterial Cell Envelopes
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The surfaces of bacteria are critically important. They form the first line of defence against external biotic and abiotic threats and are modified in many different ways to resist phagocytosis, phage predation and antimicrobial attack. Bacterial cell envelopes are selectively permeable to allow the uptake of important nutrients and to facilitate the export of waste products. Complex protein machines span across these structures to transport molecules that build and maintain the envelope. Bacteria often encode multiple different protein secretion systems that assemble surface structures such as pili and flagella. Many of these systems secrete proteins that mediate interactions with other living organisms. The essential nature of bacterial cell envelopes is reflected by the fact that they serve as targets for many of our most effective antibiotics.

Over the years, Microbiology has published many important findings that have contributed enormously to our understanding of the structure, function and biogenesis of bacterial envelopes. Here we celebrate the journal’s 75th year with a special collection of reviews guest-edited by Professor Tracy Palmer and Dr Yinka Somorin that highlights some of the most important areas of current research in this vibrant research field.

Image shows transmission electron micrograph of a dividing Citrobacter rodentium cell attached to infected mouse colonic epithelium. Characteristic ‘Attaching and Effacing lesions’ or raised pedestals can be seen beneath adhered C. rodentium, formed by the accumulation of host cell actin mediated by the bacterial type III protein secretion system. Effacement of the local brush border villi around the site of attachment is also observed. Courtesy of Dr James Connolly (Newcastle University).

Collection Contents

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    • The biogenesis of β-lactamase enzymes

      The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming marked a new era for modern medicine, allowing not only the treatment of infectious diseases, but also the safe performance of life-saving interventions, like surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, resistance against penicillin, as well as more complex β-lactam antibiotics, has rapidly emerged since the introduction of these drugs in the clinic, and is largely driven by a single type of extra-cytoplasmic proteins, hydrolytic enzymes called β-lactamases. While the structures, biochemistry and epidemiology of these resistance determinants have been extensively characterized, their biogenesis, a complex process including multiple steps and involving several fundamental biochemical pathways, is rarely discussed. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the journey of β-lactamases, from the moment they exit the ribosomal channel until they reach their final cellular destination as folded and active enzymes.

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