Open AccessCell envelope stress response in Gram‐positive bacteria
Author(s) -
Jordan Sina,
Hutchings Matthew I.,
Mascher Thorsten
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2007.00091.x
Subject(s) - cell envelope , biology , context (archaeology) , microbiology and biotechnology , envelope (radar) , bacterial cell structure , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , escherichia coli , gene , computer science , paleontology , telecommunications , radar
The bacterial cell envelope is the first and major line of defence against threats from the environment. It is an essential and yet vulnerable structure that gives the cell its shape and counteracts the high internal osmotic pressure. It also provides an important sensory interface and molecular sieve, mediating both information flow and the controlled transport of solutes. The cell envelope is also the target for numerous antibiotics. Therefore, the monitoring and maintenance of cell envelope integrity in the presence of envelope perturbating agents and conditions is crucial for survival. The underlying signal transduction is mediated by two regulatory principles, two‐component systems and extracytoplasmic function σ factors, in both the Firmicutes (low‐GC) and Actinobacteria (high‐GC) branches of Gram‐positive bacteria. This study presents a comprehensive overview of cell envelope stress‐sensing regulatory systems. This knowledge will then be applied for in‐depth comparative genomics analyses to emphasize the distribution and conservation of cell envelope stress‐sensing systems. Finally, the cell envelope stress response will be placed in the context of the overall cellular physiology, demonstrating that its regulatory systems are linked not only to other stress responses but also to the overall homeostasis and lifestyle of Gram‐positive bacteria.