Bacterial and erythrocyte lipid bilayers

The lipid bilayer is the fundamental structural component of cell membranes, consisting of two layers of amphiphilic phospholipids that provide a selective barrier for the cell. In bacteria, the bilayer is characterized by a high proportion of negatively charged lipids, such as phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin, which serve as primary targets for cationic antimicrobial peptides and lipopeptide antibiotics like polymyxins [1][2]. In contrast, the erythrocyte lipid bilayer is predominantly zwitterionic on its outer leaflet, containing phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin, which generally protects it from cationic agents but leaves it vulnerable to certain hemolytic toxins and detergents [3]. Drugs targeting these bilayers typically act by disrupting membrane integrity through mechanisms such as pore formation (e.g., barrel-stave or toroidal models) or detergent-like effects (carpet model) [4]. This disruption leads to the rapid leakage of essential ions and cytoplasmic contents, resulting in membrane depolarization and cell death [4]. While targeting bacterial membranes is an effective strategy against multi-drug resistant pathogens, the potential for cross-reactivity with human erythrocyte membranes remains a major therapeutic challenge, often leading to hemolysis and nephrotoxicity [5].

Other names

Cell membranePlasma membraneCytoplasmic membraneBiological membrane

Membrane permeabilization through pore formation (barrel-stave, toroidal) and detergent-like disruption (carpet model), leading to ion leakage and cell lysis.