Open AccessExtracellular Vesicle Biogenesis and Functions in Gram-Positive Bacteria
Author(s) -
Paul Briaud,
Ronan K. Carroll
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.00433-20
Subject(s) - biology , bacteria , biogenesis , nucleic acid , extracellular , vesicle , extracellular vesicle , microbiology and biotechnology , microvesicles , gram negative bacteria , biochemistry , bacterial outer membrane , membrane , escherichia coli , genetics , microrna , gene
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-derived lipid bilayers secreted by bacteria and eukaryotic cells. Bacterial membrane vesicles were discovered over 60 years ago and have been extensively studied in Gram-negative bacteria. During their production, EVs are loaded with proteins, nucleic acids, and various compounds that are subsequently released into the environment. Depending on the packaged cargo, EVs have a broad spectrum of action and are involved in pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, nutrient uptake, and nucleic acid transfer. Due to differences in cell wall structure, EVs in Gram-positive bacteria have been disregarded for decades, and our understanding of their biogenesis and host cell interaction is incomplete. Recently, studies on bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus spp., Bacillus subtilis , and Mycobacterium spp. have demonstrated EV production in Gram-positive bacteria and shown the great importance EVs have in Gram-positive bacterial physiology and disease progression. Here, we review the latest findings on the biogenesis and functions of EVs from Gram-positive bacteria and identify key areas for future research.