Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Generating Transposon Insertion Libraries in Gram-Negative Bacteria for High-Throughput Sequencing
Published on: July 7, 2020
Are outer-membrane targets the solution for MDR Gram-negative bacteria?
Scott S Walker1, Todd A Black1
1Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Basic Research, Merck & Co., Inc, 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
Abstract:
The outer membrane (OM) of Gram-negative bacteria confers a significant barrier to many antibacterial agents targeting periplasmic and cytosolic functions. 'Synergist' approaches to disrupt the OM have been hampered by poor specificity and accompanying toxicities. The OM contains proteins required for optimal growth and pathogenesis, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and capsular polysaccharide (CPS) transport, porins for uptake of macromolecules, and transporters for essential elements (such as iron). Does the external proximity of these proteins offer an enhanced potential to identify effective therapies? Here, we review recent experiences in exploiting Gram-negative OM proteins (OMPs) to address the calamity of exploding antimicrobial resistance. Teaser: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria are a growing crisis. Few new antimicrobial chemotypes or targets have been identified after decades of screening. Are OMP targets a solution to MDR Gram-negative bacteria?
Related Concept Videos
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance
Carrier-Mediated Transport
Active transport involves two types of membrane-spanning transporters: uptake and efflux. Uptake transporters are expressed in the small...
Multi-pass Transmembrane Proteins and β-barrels
α-Helix containing multi-pass transmembrane proteins
Multi-pass transmembrane proteins such as...
Cellular Membranes and Drug Transport
Phospholipids arrange themselves into a bilayer, with hydrophilic heads oriented outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.
Bacterial Cell Wall

