title: Multidrug efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria and their role in antibiotic resistance.
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.
authors.affiliation: Antimicrobials Research Group, Institute of Microbiology & Infection, School of Immunity & Infection, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica M A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Grace E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: Laura J V
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Piddock
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins
keywords: AcrAB; MarA; MexAB; RamA; TolC; efflux inhibitor; regulation; two component regulatory system