The Bam machine: A molecular cooper

Dante P. Ricci, Thomas J. Silhavy

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

135 Scopus citations

Abstract

The bacterial outer membrane (OM) is an exceptional biological structure with a unique composition that contributes significantly to the resiliency of Gram-negative bacteria. Since all OM components are synthesized in the cytosol, the cell must efficiently transport OM-specific lipids and proteins across the cell envelope and stably integrate them into a growing membrane. In this review, we discuss the challenges associated with these processes and detail the elegant solutions that cells have evolved to address the topological problem of OM biogenesis. Special attention will be paid to the Bam machine, a highly conserved multiprotein complex that facilitates OM β-barrel folding.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1067-1084
Number of pages18
JournalBiochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes
Volume1818
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Keywords

  • Bam complex
  • LPS
  • Outer membrane biogenesis
  • β-barrel

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