Lipid bilayer of bacterial cell membrane

The **lipid bilayer of the bacterial cell membrane** is a fundamental structural feature of all bacteria, forming a thin but stable barrier composed primarily of phospholipids arranged in two opposing layers. This bilayer creates the essential permeability barrier, maintaining the internal environment distinct from the external milieu and supporting selective transport, cell signaling, and energy transduction processes[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. The major lipid constituents vary between species (e.g., phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin in *E. coli*), and their headgroup and acyl chain diversity regulate membrane fluidity, charge, and interactions with proteins[7][4][5][6]. The bacterial lipid bilayer is directly targeted by several antibiotic classes (e.g., daptomycin, polymyxins) that compromise its integrity, leading to cell death[5]. Bacteria can modify their membrane lipids to resist such attacks, making the lipid bilayer not only a central target in antibacterial therapy but also a focal point in the evolution of resistance[5][6]. This structure is classified functionally as a membrane feature, not a traditional receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but is vital for bacterial viability and remains a major therapeutic target in infectious disease[5][7].

Other names

bacterial membrane lipid bilayercytoplasmic membrane bilayer (bacteria)bacterial phospholipid bilayer

Physico-chemical disruption of membrane integrity (destabilization, pore formation, or depolarization); Binding to phospholipids, altering membrane curvature or charge, resulting in leakage or loss of function (e.g., daptomycin binds phosphatidylglycerol and disrupts cell membrane)