Effect of the morphogene bolA on the permeability of the Escherichia coli outer membrane

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2006 Jul;260(1):106-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2006.00307.x.

Abstract

Escherichia coli bolA is a morphogene involved in stress response and cell division. Overexpression of bolA induces biofilm formation and affects the levels of carboxypeptidases PBP5, PBP6 and beta-lactamase AmpC. In this study, we have shown that changes in the expression of bolA result in alterations in the properties of the outer membrane. The sensitivity to detergents and vancomycin was reduced when bolA was overexpressed and fluorescent probes indicated that different levels of bolA had an effect on outer membrane protein accessibility. Moreover, bolA was shown to be involved in the modulation of the OmpF/OmpC balance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane Permeability*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Genes, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Porins / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • OmpC protein
  • OmpF protein
  • Porins