The Barrier Properties of Biological Membranes Dictate How Cells Experience Oxidative Stress.

James A Imlay

Journal: Molecular microbiology 2025;123(5):454-463

PMID: 40091849

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Abstract

Molecular oxygen, superoxide, and hydrogen peroxide are related oxidants that can each impair the growth of microorganisms. Strikingly, these species exhibit large differences in their abilities to cross biological membranes. This Perspective explains the basis of those differences, and it describes natural situations in which the permeability of membranes to oxidants determines the amount of stress that a bacterium experiences.

Address: Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA.

DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15353

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MeSH Terms: Oxidative Stress, Cell Membrane, Hydrogen Peroxide, Cell Membrane Permeability, Superoxides, Bacteria