The outer membrane is the primary defence mechanism for Gram-negative bacteria. The pathogenicity of Gram -ve bacteria mainly depends upon their surface. These bacteria have Outer Membrane Proteins (OMPs) out of which Porins are involved in nutrient uptake and protection of the bacterial cell.
I want to know how they are involved in pathogenesis? And can they used as a target for developing drug or vaccine?
Cytotoxic T cells (CTL) and certain natural killer cells (NK) destroy microorganisms and infected host cells by releasing perforin, a peptide that aggregates and polymerizes on target cell surfaces. Perforin multimerizes to form pores of -20 monomers; it does not use accessory proteins for membrane binding. During infection, protein antigens embedded in the target cell surface attract CTL and NK cells. After a CTL binds to an infected target cell, perforin molecules are released, aggregate as polyperforin, and embed in plasma membrane, producing pores that cause the cells to become leaky. Polyperforin molecules aggregating on the infected cells produce ring –shaped structures with a central channel that moves ions from the Cytosol, causing the cell to become leaky.
Please also take a look at the following RG links.
Article Distinct Roles of Outer Membrane Porins in Antibiotic Resist...
Article Microbe-Host Interactions: Structure and Role of Gram-Negati...
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