Bacterial cell membrane and cytoplasm

The **bacterial cell membrane** (plasma membrane) is a selectively permeable phospholipid bilayer enclosing the bacterial cytoplasm, responsible for controlling nutrient and waste transport, energy production through respiration and photosynthesis, and synthesis of key macromolecules. The **cytoplasm** is a semi-liquid matrix containing water, enzymes, ribosomes for protein synthesis, metabolites, DNA in the nucleoid region (or plasmids), ions, and cytoskeletal elements that enable cell growth, metabolism, division, and shape maintenance. Together, these compartments are targeted by many antibiotics, but they are not singular, specific receptors or enzymes. Instead, they host numerous relevant molecular targets for antibacterial drug development (e.g., cell membrane proteins/enzymes, cytoplasmic ribosomes, DNA enzymes).

Other names

Bacterial plasma membrane and cytoplasmProkaryotic cell membrane and cytoplasm

Disrupt membrane integrity (e.g., lysis or increased permeability by antimicrobial peptides/drugs such as polymyxins); Inhibit protein synthesis (ribosome-targeting agents); Inhibit DNA replication and metabolism