细菌 z-bo 2020-10-08 332

　　Scientists at the University of Birmingham have a new understanding of the mechanisms certain bacteria use to protect themselves from attack. Gram-negative bacteria can cause diseases such as pneumonia, cholera, typhoons, E. coli infections and many hospital-acquired infections. They are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics-partly due to the way they are constructed. Gram-negative bacteria are surrounded by a double membrane to form an effective protective barrier and significantly increase the resistance of cells to antibiotics. The outer layers of these two membranes are composed of two molecules, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and have a unique asymmetric structure. LPS is contained on the outside of the membrane and phospholipid is contained on the inside of the membrane. It is this structure that makes Gram-negative bacteria particularly resistant to antibiotics.

　　Understanding how these bacteria form an outer membrane will help us find new ways to fight bacterial infections, because this membrane is essential for bacterial survival. Scientists at the University of Birmingham have recently taken a new step in understanding this process. They determined the first mechanism by which phospholipid molecules migrate to the membrane. The Birmingham research team used biophysical techniques such as X-ray crystallization and nuclear magnetic resonance to directly monitor the movement of phospholipids from the inner membrane to the outer membrane through a series of proteins. Already done. These proteins form a pathway called the Mla pathway.

　　This pathway has previously been shown to be related to disease, but its exact function is still unknown. These results provide preliminary evidence about the protein mechanism of these transport processes and open up the possibility of developing antibiotics against them.

　　Chief Flyer Dr. Tim Knowles said: These bacteria contain two layers of membranes that help them survive under harsh conditions and enhance their protection from antibiotics. The formation and maintenance of membranes may be an important part of the development of new antibiotics.