Cell and bacterial membranes

Cell and bacterial membranes are essential lipid bilayers that define cellular boundaries and maintain the internal environment of all living organisms [6, 14]. In antimicrobial therapy, the bacterial membrane serves as a vital target for drugs like polymyxins and daptomycin, which disrupt its structural integrity or electrical potential [1, 3, 4]. These drugs often distinguish between bacterial and host membranes by targeting specific components like lipopolysaccharides or negatively charged phospholipids that are more prevalent in microbes [3, 4, 12]. Disruption of the membrane leads to the formation of pores, leakage of intracellular ions such as potassium, and eventual cell lysis [3, 5]. Beyond infection, the cell membrane is increasingly recognized as a target in oncology, where differences in membrane fluidity and charge in cancer cells are exploited by therapeutic peptides [6, 12]. However, the high degree of structural similarity between various biological membranes often leads to significant safety concerns, including nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity [2, 5, 7]. Additionally, the cell membrane acts as a critical reservoir for many lipophilic drugs, influencing their distribution and duration of action [14, 17]. Understanding the biophysical interactions at the membrane interface is therefore crucial for both drug efficacy and the mitigation of adverse effects [7, 11].

Other names

Plasma membraneCytoplasmic membraneLipid bilayerBacterial cell envelopeInner and outer membranes

Disruption of membrane integrity, pore formation, depolarization of the membrane potential, and alteration of lipid bilayer fluidity, leading to leakage of intracellular contents and cell death.