The "hole" story of predatory outer-membrane vesicles

Can J Microbiol. 2018 Sep;64(9):589-599. doi: 10.1139/cjm-2017-0466.

Abstract

All Gram-negative bacteria release membrane vesicles. These vesicles contain a cargo of proteins and enzymes that include one or more autolysins. Autolysins are a group of enzymes with specificity for the different linkages within peptidoglycan sacculi that if uncontrolled cause bacteriolysis. This minireview, written in honor and memory of Terry Beveridge, presents an overview of autolytic activity and focuses on Beveridge's important original observations regarding predatory membrane vesicles and their associated autolysin cargo.

Keywords: autolysines; autolysins; membrane vesicles; outer-membrane vesicles; predation; prédation; vésicule de la membrane externe; vésicules membranaires.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriolysis / physiology*
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / cytology*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / enzymology
  • N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase / metabolism
  • Peptidoglycan / metabolism
  • Transport Vesicles / chemistry
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptidoglycan
  • N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase