Bacterial cell wall and microbial membrane

Bacterial cell wall and microbial membrane collectively describe the cell envelope of bacteria, which includes the rigid cell wall (mainly composed of peptidoglycan), and one or more cell membranes (commonly an inner plasma membrane and, in Gram-negative bacteria, an outer membrane rich in lipopolysaccharide)[3][5][1][2]. The cell wall is a defining structure responsible for bacterial shape and rigidity, serving as a barrier against osmotic lysis, environmental insults, and immune mechanisms[1][9][3]. The cell wall and membrane are unique to bacteria and absent in human cells, making them primary targets for antibacterial drugs[4][6][10]. Numerous antibiotics—including β-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins), glycopeptides (vancomycin), daptomycin, and polymyxins—act by inhibiting synthesis or compromising the integrity of the bacterial cell wall or membranes[4][10]. Drug targeting exploits the essential and distinctive architecture of these structures, but resistance is an increasing challenge[6][4].

Other names

Bacterial cell envelopeBacterial cell wallBacterial membraneCell envelope

Inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis; Disruption of membrane integrity; Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide synthesis; Disruption of cell wall cross-linking