Bacterial membrane-bound electron transport chain

The **bacterial membrane-bound electron transport chain** is a series of protein complexes and mobile electron carriers embedded in the plasma membrane of bacteria that facilitate electron flow from various electron donors (e.g., NADH, FADH₂) to terminal electron acceptors (e.g., oxygen, nitrate, fumarate)[2][4][10][19]. This chain uses the released energy to pump protons across the membrane, generating a proton gradient (proton motive force) that drives ATP synthesis by ATP synthase[10][19]. In contrast to eukaryotes, bacteria exhibit a highly flexible and branched electron transport system; the specific composition and electron acceptors can vary widely between species and under different environmental conditions[4][10]. Because the electron transport chain is essential for energy production and survival, especially in pathogens, its components (dehydrogenases, quinones, cytochromes, terminal oxidases, and ATP synthase) are considered valid targets for antibiotic development, with drugs like bedaquiline already clinically used to target ATP synthase in *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*[9]. However, "bacterial membrane-bound electron transport chain" designates an entire system rather than a single molecular entity, which complicates its classification as a single drug target.

Other names

Bacterial electron transport chainProkaryotic electron transport chainBacterial respiratory chain

Inhibition of ATP synthase (e.g., by bedaquiline); Disruption of proton motive force; Inhibition of electron transfer through dehydrogenases or oxidases; Induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production