Mesosomes, Unique Membranous Structures in Bacteria

Abstract

Mesosomes are unique membranous bacterial structures that actively function in cell injury and physiological cellular processes, such as replication and separation of nucleoids and oxidative phosphorylation. The structures and functions of mesosomes have been studied and identified, but the regulation of their functional properties remains still unclear. Our previous studies confirmed that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is involved in mesosome formation during cell injury and cell division processes. The quantity of excess H2O2accumulation is associated with the mesosome size. This observation has provided great significance in elucidating the mechanisms of maintainance of the functional performance of mesosomes. This article describes the bacterial mesosome and its functions as well as the involvement of H2O2in mediating these functions.

Tunable biomimetic bacterial membranes from binary and ternary lipid mixtures and their application in antimicrobial testing

“…These inward-pointing protrusions are good mimics of mesosomes – convoluted membranous structures present in prokaryotic cells upon their exposure to perturbing events such as mechanical contraction or cell injury [77]. This specific type of invagination of the plasma membrane has not been well studied; however, the presence of mesosomes has been proven as inseparable during the replication and separation of chromosomes, cell division, and extracellular transport [78]. Moreover, mesosomes are considered to be prokaryotic equivalents of eukaryotic mitochondria - a connection that still has not been well understood [79].…”