title: The bacterial outer membrane as a drug barrier.
abstract: The outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria constitute a semi-permeable barrier, as indicated by the corresponding alterations in outer membrane permeability and in antibiotic susceptibility resulting from mutation or polycation action. Restricted outer membrane permeability works in synergy with co-determinant resistance mechanisms, such as the periplasmic enzyme beta-lactamase or active efflux mechanisms, bringing about antibiotic resistance.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. bob@cbdn.ca
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hancock
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002412:Cations / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009154:Mutation; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002412:Cations; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases