Biotinylation as a tool to enhance the uptake of small molecules in Gram-negative bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern. The shrinking selection of effective antibiotics and lack of new development is making the situation worse. Gram-negative bacteria more specifically pose serious threat because of their double layered cell envelope and effective efflux systems, which is a challenge for drugs to penetrate.

Donnan Potential across the Outer Membrane of Gram-Negative Bacteria and Its Effect on the Permeability of Antibiotics.

The cell envelope structure of Gram-negative bacteria is unique, composed of two lipid bilayer membranes and an aqueous periplasmic space sandwiched in between. The outer membrane constitutes an extra barrier to limit the exchange of molecules between the cells and the exterior environment. Donnan potential is a membrane potential across the outer membrane, resulted from the selective permeability of the membrane, which plays a pivotal role in the permeability of many antibiotics.

Distribution of fluoroquinolones in the two aqueous compartments of .

The double-layered cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria and active drug efflux present a formidable barrier for antimicrobial compounds to penetrate. Fluoroquinolones are among the few classes of antimicrobials that are clinically useful in the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infection. Previous studies on fluoroquinolone accumulation measured total bacteria associated compounds, rather than the cytoplasmic accumulation.

Periplasmic Targets for the Development of Effective Antimicrobials against Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a serious threat to global public health in recent years. Lack of novel antimicrobials, especially new classes of compounds, further aggravates the situation. For Gram-negative bacteria, their double layered cell envelope and an array of efflux pumps act as formidable barriers for antimicrobials to penetrate.