Microbial Cell Membrane

The microbial cell membrane is a fundamental biological structure that separates the interior of the microbial cell from its external environment. It is essential for maintaining cellular integrity, mediating transport processes, and facilitating energy generation. It is a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that regulate entry/exit of substances, facilitate transport, generate energy, maintain cell shape, and participate in biosynthesis, secretion, signal transduction, and communication. Because many antibiotics target unique features or vulnerabilities associated with bacterial membranes, the microbial cell membrane remains an important focus area for antimicrobial drug development.

Other names

Bacterial Cell MembraneCytoplasmic MembranePlasma Membrane

Disruption of membrane integrity, inhibition of cell wall synthesis precursors, interference with membrane protein function.