Microbial cell wall and membrane (singular) (disruption mechanism)

Microbial cell wall and membrane disruption is a common mechanism of action by which many antibiotics and antimicrobial agents inactivate bacteria, fungi, or other microbes. Unlike canonical molecular targets (such as defined enzymes or receptors), this refers to the physical compromise—via direct physicochemical interaction or pore formation—of the cell envelope, resulting in leakage of essential ions, nucleotides, or proteins and rapid cell death. Agents employing this strategy include various antimicrobial peptides, lipopeptide antibiotics (like daptomycin), polymyxins, glycolipopeptides, and certain exogenous fatty acids. While broad in effect and less prone to resistance development, such membrane-active drugs may pose safety risks if not selective for microbial over eukaryotic membranes.

Other names

Membrane disruptionbacterial cell wall disruptionantimicrobial membrane perturbation

Disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity, leading to leakage of cytosolic contents and cell death Pore formation within the membrane (by some drugs and peptides) Sequestration of cell wall precursors (by some peptides) Physicochemical disturbance of lipid bilayer packing and stability Loss of proton motive force and energy collapse