Bacterial Cell Mechanics Beyond Peptidoglycan

Abstract

The bacterial cell envelope plays essential roles in controlling cell shape, division, pathogenicity, and resistance against external stresses. In Escherichia coli, peptidoglycan (PG) has long been thought to be the primary component that conveys mechanical strength to the envelope. But a recent publication demonstrates the key contribution of the lipoprotein Lpp in defining the stiffness of the cell envelope and its sensitivity to drugs.

Keywords: E. coli; Gram-negative bacteria; atomic force microscopy; cell envelope; cell mechanics; lipoprotein Lpp.