Outer-membrane vesicles from Gram-negative bacteria: biogenesis and functions

Outer-membrane vesicles from Gram-negative bacteria: biogenesis and functions

VOLUME 13 | OCTOBER 2015 | Carmen Schwechheimer and Meta J. Kuehn
Outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical structures derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, containing periplasmic content. These vesicles play a crucial role in bacterial interactions with their environment, including promoting pathogenesis, enabling survival under stress conditions, and regulating microbial interactions within communities. Recent studies have explored the mechanisms of OMV biogenesis and their diverse functions. OMVs can be produced in response to various factors such as temperature, nutrient availability, and stress conditions, and their production is influenced by the composition and dynamics of the bacterial envelope. Key components like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan (PG) play significant roles in OMV formation. OMVs can carry specific cargo, including virulence factors, nutrients, and enzymes, which are selectively enriched or excluded based on the bacterial species and environmental conditions. OMVs also serve as a means for bacteria to communicate, acquire nutrients, and exchange genetic material, contributing to their survival and fitness in complex microbial communities. Additionally, OMVs are involved in biofilm formation and contribute to the structural integrity and virulence of biofilms. Overall, OMVs are multifaceted particles that have gained attention for their potential in bioengineering applications due to their versatile functions and biotechnological significance.Outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical structures derived from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, containing periplasmic content. These vesicles play a crucial role in bacterial interactions with their environment, including promoting pathogenesis, enabling survival under stress conditions, and regulating microbial interactions within communities. Recent studies have explored the mechanisms of OMV biogenesis and their diverse functions. OMVs can be produced in response to various factors such as temperature, nutrient availability, and stress conditions, and their production is influenced by the composition and dynamics of the bacterial envelope. Key components like lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan (PG) play significant roles in OMV formation. OMVs can carry specific cargo, including virulence factors, nutrients, and enzymes, which are selectively enriched or excluded based on the bacterial species and environmental conditions. OMVs also serve as a means for bacteria to communicate, acquire nutrients, and exchange genetic material, contributing to their survival and fitness in complex microbial communities. Additionally, OMVs are involved in biofilm formation and contribute to the structural integrity and virulence of biofilms. Overall, OMVs are multifaceted particles that have gained attention for their potential in bioengineering applications due to their versatile functions and biotechnological significance.
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