Outer membrane lipoprotein YaiW (YaiW) (YaiW)

Outer membrane lipoprotein YaiW (YaiW) is a surface-exposed protein found in enteric and other Gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (UniProt, Journal of Bacteriology). It is part of the sigma E regulon, which manages the bacterial response to envelope stress, and is often cotranscribed with the inner membrane transporter sbmA (Journal of Bacteriology). YaiW functions as a facilitator for the uptake of various antimicrobial peptides, including proline-rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) like Bac7 and the lacritin-derived peptide N-104 (Journal of Bacteriology, PMC). By mediating the translocation of these agents across the outer membrane, YaiW enables them to reach their intracellular or periplasmic targets, such as the ribosome or inner membrane transporters like FeoB and PotH (PMC). Consequently, YaiW is a critical component in the mechanism of action for certain novel antimicrobial strategies and a potential site for the development of resistance through its downregulation (ResearchGate, PMC). Its localization on the outer membrane surface makes it an accessible target for peptide-based therapeutics (Journal of Bacteriology, PMC). Although its precise physiological role is still being characterized, its involvement in nutrient and peptide transport highlights its importance in bacterial survival and pathogenesis (Journal of Bacteriology, PMC).

Other names

Uncharacterized protein YaiWyaiW gene productSurface-exposed outer membrane lipoprotein YaiW

Facilitates the translocation of antimicrobial peptides across the outer membrane to reach intracellular or periplasmic targets, such as the ribosome or inner membrane nutrient transporters.