Mini Review: Bacterial Membrane Composition and Its Modulation in Response to Stress

Antibiotics and other agents that perturb the synthesis or integrity of the bacterial cell envelope trigger compensatory stress responses. Focusing on Bacillus subtilis as a model system, this mini-review summarizes current views of membrane structure and insights into how cell envelope stress responses remodel and protect the membrane. Altering the composition and properties of the membrane and its associated proteome can protect cells against detergents, antimicrobial peptides, and pore-forming compounds while also, indirectly, contributing to resistance against compounds that affect cell wall synthesis. Many of these regulatory responses are broadly conserved, even where the details of regulation may differ, and can be important in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the stress responses triggered by antibiotics and other agents that disrupt the synthesis or integrity of the bacterial cell envelope, specifically looking at Bacillus subtilis. It highlights how altering the composition and properties of the membrane and its associated proteome can protect cells against various compounds and contribute to resistance, potentially playing a crucial role in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in clinical settings. The regulatory responses discussed in the review are broadly conserved, with the potential to vary in regulation details, but can still be significant in clinical contexts.