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Updated: May 16, 2026

Characterizing Multidrug Efflux Systems in Acinetobacter baumannii Using an Efflux-Deficient Bacterial Strain and a Single-Copy Gene Expression System

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How resistance-nodulation-division (RND) efflux pumps contribute to virulence.

Corrella S Detweiler¹, Ilyas Alav²

¹Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America.

|May 14, 2026

Summary

Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division (RND) efflux pumps are crucial for Gram-negative bacteria survival in hosts. This study explores their roles beyond antibiotic resistance, focusing on virulence and host-pathogen interactions.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Gram-negative bacteria utilize multi-subunit efflux pumps, including the Resistance-Nodulation-Cell Division (RND) superfamily, to transport molecules across cellular membranes.
RND efflux pumps leverage proton motive force for substrate export, playing a key role in antibiotic resistance.
Emerging evidence highlights RND efflux pump necessity for pathogen survival in mammalian hosts, independent of antibiotic pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze mechanistic hypotheses explaining the requirement for RND efflux pumps during bacterial infection.
To investigate the roles of RND efflux pumps in exporting host- and bacterial-derived substrates during pathogenesis.
To elucidate the impact of proton translocation by RND efflux pumps on bacterial virulence.

Main Methods:

Literature review and analysis of existing evidence on RND efflux pump function in pathogenesis.
Exploration of substrate export mechanisms and proton translocation effects.
Identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions.

Main Results:

RND efflux pumps are essential for exporting various substrates during infection, contributing to pathogen survival.
Proton translocation by these pumps influences bacterial physiology and virulence in the host environment.
The role of RND efflux pumps extends beyond antibiotic resistance to critical virulence functions.

Conclusions:

RND efflux pumps are vital for bacterial virulence and survival within mammalian hosts.
Further research is needed to fully understand the complex mechanisms underlying RND efflux pump involvement in pathogenesis.
Targeting RND efflux pumps could represent a novel strategy to combat bacterial infections.