Microbial electron transport system

The microbial electron transport system is a collective term for the network of membrane-associated protein complexes, cofactors (such as quinones, cytochromes, iron–sulfur clusters, flavins, and copper ions), and mobile electron carriers that shuttle electrons from donors (such as NADH, FADH₂, formate, H₂) to terminal acceptors (such as O₂, nitrate, sulfate, fumarate, metals) within bacteria and archaea[2][4][5][6]. The main function is to generate an electrochemical gradient (proton or sodium motive force), which drives ATP synthesis and other energy-requiring processes[2][6]. Unlike eukaryotes which have a relatively uniform electron transport chain in mitochondria, microbes present a huge diversity in their electron transport systems, allowing adaptation to different environmental conditions and use of varied electron donors and acceptors[2][4][5][6]. This system is a composite of many molecular families (dehydrogenases, oxidases, reductases, cytochromes), with no universal "microbial electron transport system" protein or gene. Because this term refers to a collection of related pathways and proteins, and not to a single, well-defined target or molecule, it is not generally considered a traditional therapeutic target akin to a receptor, enzyme, or transporter[2][4][5][6]. Individual components (such as cytochrome bd oxidase, quinone pools, or specific dehydrogenases) may be targeted as antimicrobial strategies, but "microbial electron transport system" as a target is too broad and nonspecific for standard pharmacological classification.

Other names

Electron transport chain (in microbes)microbial ETCmicrobial respiratory chainmicrobial electron transfer chain

Inhibition of electron transfer (e.g., by blocking cytochromes or quinone pools) Disruption of ATP production/proton gradients