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Targeted delivery using membrane vesicles in prokaryotes

Yosuke Tashiro1,2, Kotaro Takaki1, Hiroyuki Futamata1,2,3

  • 1Department of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 432-8561, Japan.

Biophysics and Physicobiology
|May 28, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Prokaryotes secrete membrane vesicles (MVs) that transfer molecules like enzymes and genetic material between microbes. These MVs play key roles in microbial interactions and communication.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Membrane vesicles (MVs) are lipid bilayer spheres secreted by prokaryotes.
  • MVs are involved in stress response, virulence, biofilm formation, and inter-microbial communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review microbial interactions mediated by MVs.
  • To discuss the selective delivery of MV contents to target microbial cells.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on microbial membrane vesicles.
  • Analysis of MV-mediated content transfer mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • MVs contain and transfer high concentrations of enzymes, genetic material, and signals.
  • MVs facilitate bactericidal effects, horizontal gene transfer, and quorum sensing.
  • Evidence suggests MVs selectively interact with specific microbial species for content delivery.

Conclusions:

  • Membrane vesicles are crucial mediators of microbial interactions and communication.
  • MV-mediated selective delivery highlights their sophisticated role in microbial ecosystems.
Keywords:
DLVO theorybacterial interactionhorizontal gene transfermembrane vesiclesquorum sensing

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