Bacterial membrane dynamics: Compartmentalization and repair

In every bacterial cell, the plasma membrane plays a key role in viability as it forms a selective barrier between the inside of the cell and its environment. This barrier function depends on the physical state of the lipid bilayer and the proteins embedded or associated with the bilayer. Over the past decade or so, it has become apparent that many membrane-organizing proteins and principles, which were described in eukaryote systems, are ubiquitous and play important roles in bacterial cells. In this minireview, we focus on the enigmatic roles of bacterial flotillins in membrane compartmentalization and bacterial dynamins and ESCRT-like systems in membrane repair and remodeling.

Automated summary

The plasma membrane is crucial for the viability of bacterial cells as it acts as a selective barrier. Recent research has shown that membrane-organizing proteins and principles found in eukaryotes also play important roles in bacterial cells. This minireview focuses on the involvement of bacterial flotillins in membrane compartmentalization and bacterial dynamins and ESCRT-like systems in membrane repair and remodeling.