Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria maintain the barrier properties of the outer membrane (OM) in a wide array of physiological conditions despite their inability to degrade lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and protein material present in the outer leaflet of the OM. Through characterization of the native dynamics of outer membrane LPS change we recently described a mechanism in which these diderm organisms overcome this design flaw. In response to different environmental stimuli Salmonella enterica modulates the export of specific structural variants of lipid A via outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). We proposed that the polymorphic model for regulation of membrane lipid content could largely account for the structural differences between secreted and retained lipid A species. However, differences in OMV production levels and size observed between environmental conditions remain unexplained. Further exploration into the relationship between OMV production level and content specificity may shed light onto the enigmatic mechanisms of OMV formation.
Highlights
The lipopolysaccharide content of the asymmetric Gramnegative outer membrane is highly heterogeneous
In response to different environmental stimuli Salmonella enterica modulates the export of specific structural variants of lipid A via outer membrane vesicles (OMVs)
The OMVs produced in this condition were smaller and more protein-dense on average than OMVs produced in acidic media
Summary
The lipopolysaccharide content of the asymmetric Gramnegative outer membrane is highly heterogeneous. In response to different environmental stimuli Salmonella enterica modulates the export of specific structural variants of lipid A via outer membrane vesicles (OMVs).
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