Multidrug efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria and their role in antibiotic resistance

Jessica M A Blair, Grace E Richmond, Laura J V Piddock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

139 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gram-negative bacteria express a plethora of efflux pumps that are capable of transporting structurally varied molecules, including antibiotics, out of the bacterial cell. This efflux lowers the intracellular antibiotic concentration, allowing bacteria to survive at higher antibiotic concentrations. Overexpression of some efflux pumps can cause clinically relevant levels of antibiotic resistance in Gram-negative pathogens. This review discusses the role of efflux in resistance of clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria, the regulatory mechanisms that control efflux pump expression, the recent advances in our understanding of efflux pump structure and how inhibition of efflux is a promising future strategy for tackling multidrug resistance in Gram-negative pathogens.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1165-77
Number of pages13
JournalFuture Microbiology
Volume9
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria
  • Membrane Transport Proteins

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