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Outer Membrane Vesicles of Bacteria: Structure, Biogenesis, and Function

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Biogenesis of Fatty Acids, Lipids and Membranes

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

Abstract

Extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs), a characteristic present across each domain of life, are subcellular shuttles of biologically active cargo that have a variety of functions ranging from cell-to-cell communication to predatory behavior. Mechanism(s) governing EMV biogenesis remain elusive; however, several initiators have been determined such as stress stimuli, sensing a potential prey or intruder, and signaling molecules. Regardless of function, increased membrane curvature and bulging is a key characteristic that leads to budding and release. This chapter highlights the differences between biogenesis processes of the bacteria, archaea and eukarya. We then focus on the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) specific to Gram-negative bacteria, including several mechanism(s) that potentially explain how the loss of crucial OM-peptidoglycan (PGN) and OM-PGN-inner membrane (IM) interactions can destabilize the OM to result in OMV biogenesis. Despite gaps present in the current understanding of these novel organelles, OMVs are one mechanism that allow microbial cells to function as multicellular organisms, as pathogens, and act as key predators in their environment. We discuss the importance in better understanding OMV biogenesis for greater insight into how this form of membrane architecture can be utilized for vaccines and targeted/specific treatments for infections.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA

    Armaity Nasarabadi, James E. Berleman & Manfred Auer

  2. Saint Mary’s College of California, 212 Brousseau Hall, Moraga, CA, 94556, USA

    James E. Berleman

Authors
  1. Armaity Nasarabadi
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  2. James E. Berleman
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  3. Manfred Auer
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Correspondence to Armaity Nasarabadi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Ciencias Genomicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Centro de Ciencias Genomicas, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico

    Otto Geiger

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Nasarabadi, A., Berleman, J.E., Auer, M. (2017). Outer Membrane Vesicles of Bacteria: Structure, Biogenesis, and Function. In: Geiger, O. (eds) Biogenesis of Fatty Acids, Lipids and Membranes. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43676-0_44-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43676-0_44-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43676-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43676-0

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