Functional microdomains in bacterial membranes

The membranes of eukaryotic cells harbor microdomains known as lipid rafts that contain a variety of signaling and transport proteins. Here we show that bacterial membranes contain microdomains functionally similar to those of eukaryotic cells. These membrane microdomains from diverse bacteria harbo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Genes & development 2010-09, Vol.24 (17), p.1893-1902
Main Authors: López, Daniel, Kolter, Roberto
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacillus subtilis - enzymology
Bacillus subtilis - metabolism
Bacteria
Bacteria - enzymology
Bacteria - metabolism
Bacterial Proteins - metabolism
Biofilms - drug effects
Enzyme Inhibitors - metabolism
Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase - metabolism
Membrane Microdomains - metabolism
Membrane Proteins - metabolism
Protein Transport
Research Paper
Signal Transduction - drug effects
Sugar Alcohol Dehydrogenases - metabolism
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Summary:The membranes of eukaryotic cells harbor microdomains known as lipid rafts that contain a variety of signaling and transport proteins. Here we show that bacterial membranes contain microdomains functionally similar to those of eukaryotic cells. These membrane microdomains from diverse bacteria harbor homologs of Flotillin-1, a eukaryotic protein found exclusively in lipid rafts, along with proteins involved in signaling and transport. Inhibition of lipid raft formation through the action of zaragozic acid--a known inhibitor of squalene synthases--impaired biofilm formation and protein secretion but not cell viability. The orchestration of physiological processes in microdomains may be a more widespread feature of membranes than previously appreciated.
ISSN:0890-9369
1549-5477
DOI:10.1101/gad.1945010