Mycobacterial cell membrane components

Mycobacterial cell membrane components constitute a complex, multi-layered envelope that is essential for the survival, virulence, and intrinsic antibiotic resistance of Mycobacterium species, most notably Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Brennan, 2003). This structure includes the inner plasma membrane, a thick peptidoglycan-arabinogalactan complex, and a unique outer membrane known as the mycomembrane, which is rich in long-chain mycolic acids (Jackson, 2014). These components function as a formidable permeability barrier against host immune responses and many conventional antibiotics (Dulberger et al., 2020). Several frontline and second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs specifically target the biosynthesis or integrity of these components (Abrahams & Besra, 2018). For instance, isoniazid and ethionamide inhibit the synthesis of mycolic acids, while ethambutol disrupts the assembly of the arabinogalactan layer (Abrahams & Besra, 2018). Additionally, newer agents like bedaquiline target membrane-bound ATP synthase to disrupt energy metabolism, and pyrazinamide is thought to collapse the membrane potential (Dulberger et al., 2020). Because these structures are unique to mycobacteria, they provide high selectivity for therapeutic intervention, although the complexity of the envelope remains a significant challenge for drug penetration (Brennan, 2003).

Other names

Mycobacterial cell envelopeMycobacterial cell wallMycomembraneMycobacterial plasma membrane

Inhibition of mycolic acid biosynthesis, inhibition of arabinogalactan synthesis, disruption of membrane potential, inhibition of ATP synthesis, and disruption of cell wall assembly.