Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (PG)

Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is a ubiquitous anionic phospholipid that serves as a fundamental structural component of bacterial membranes. In Gram-negative bacteria, PG is located within the cytoplasmic (inner) membrane and the inner leaflet of the outer membrane, where it contributes to the overall negative charge of the cell envelope [12, 15]. This anionic nature is critical for the localization of peripheral membrane proteins, the regulation of cell division processes, and the proper folding of outer membrane proteins [11, 15]. Because mammalian cell membranes are predominantly zwitterionic on their outer surface and lack significant PG, this lipid represents a highly selective target for developing novel antibacterials [6, 9]. Drugs targeting PG typically act by disrupting the lipid bilayer through electrostatic interactions, leading to membrane permeabilization, depolarization, leakage of essential intracellular contents, and rapid cell death [1, 7]. Consequently, PG is a focal point in the development of novel therapeutics aimed at overcoming multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections [1, 4].

Other names

1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-sn-glycerol)PGAnionic phospholipidBacterial membrane phospholipid

Membrane disruption, pore formation, depolarization of the bacterial membrane, and disruption of the proton motive force (PMF) [1, 3, 7].