Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles in Trafficking, Communication and the Host-Pathogen Interaction

Vesicular transport is a central process in eukaryotes that was believed to be absent in bacteria. However, as our understanding of the communal and interactive lifestyles of bacteria has increased by leaps and bounds, we are now well positioned to appreciate the many ways that membrane trafficking impacts this domain of life as well. Nearly all Gram-negative organisms release outer membrane vesicles into their environment. In this communication, we discuss the nature of these vesicles, the roles they play in bacterial physiology, ecology and virulence, and what is known about how they are formed. These remarkable structures can be used to confuse, communicate or kill depending on the situation and unlocking the mechanisms behind their formation, loading and delivery could lead to effective treatments against many important bacterial pathogens. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel