Gosset Bacterial cell membrane; Fungal cell membrane Overview
The bacterial and fungal cell membranes are biological lipid bilayer barriers that encapsulate cells, control passage of substances, and enable energy production and biosynthetic processes. In fungi, the membrane contains unique sterols (ergosterol) and is critical for structure and pathogenesis. In bacteria, the membrane similarly regulates transport, maintains integrity, and contains distinctive lipids and proteins. Both are targets for numerous antibiotics and antifungals that interfere with membrane integrity, synthesis, or function. Clinical significance arises from their central role in infection, antimicrobial susceptibility, and therapeutic selectivity. However, this is not a single molecular target but rather a broad category; more specific targets such as ergosterol (in fungi) or bacterial phospholipids are used for drug development. Because this entry combines fungal and bacterial membranes rather than specifying one molecular entity, it is too broad for correct structured mapping and should be split into separate, precisely defined entries.
Mechanism of Action
Fungi: Disruption of membrane integrity by binding membrane sterols (ergosterol for polyenes), inhibition of sterol biosynthesis (azoles), inhibition of phospholipid synthesis (mandimycin), inhibition of β-glucan synthesis in the wall (echinocandins). Bacteria: Disruption of membrane integrity (polymyxins, daptomycin), interference with transport and biosynthetic processes.
Biological Functions
Disease Associations
Safety Considerations
- Nephrotoxicity for Amphotericin B
- hepatotoxicity for azoles
- development of resistance
- toxicity due to similarity to mammalian membranes
- Nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity for polymyxins
- toxicity due to off-target effects on human cells
- Selectivity is critical as therapeutic index may be limited when membrane composition overlaps with host cells