Microbial cell membrane phospholipids and associated surfaces

Microbial cell membrane phospholipids and associated surfaces are essential structural and functional components of the lipid bilayer that surrounds the cytoplasm of bacteria and fungi. Unlike mammalian membranes, which are rich in neutral lipids like phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, microbial membranes are characterized by a high proportion of anionic phospholipids such as phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin [3, 9]. These negatively charged surfaces, along with associated structures like lipopolysaccharides in Gram-negative bacteria, serve as the primary target for several classes of antibiotics, including polymyxins and lipopeptides like daptomycin [1, 6]. Interaction with these phospholipids leads to membrane depolarization, pore formation, and the catastrophic leakage of essential ions and metabolites, ultimately resulting in rapid cell death [4, 10]. Beyond their structural role, these phospholipids are involved in critical processes such as energy metabolism, cell signaling, and the coordination of cell division, making them a robust target for treating multidrug-resistant infections and biofilms [8, 14].

Other names

Bacterial cell membraneFungal cell membraneMicrobial lipid bilayerAnionic phospholipidsCytoplasmic membraneBacterial membrane lipids

Drugs targeting microbial cell membrane phospholipids typically act by binding to anionic lipid headgroups, leading to membrane insertion, oligomerization, and the formation of transmembrane pores. This process causes rapid depolarization of the membrane potential, leakage of essential intracellular ions (such as potassium), and loss of osmotic integrity, which results in bactericidal or fungicidal activity [1, 3, 6].