Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• McMillan, Hannah M
• Kuehn, Meta J

Titel

The extracellular vesicle generation paradox: a bacterial point of view

Ist Teil von

• The EMBO journal, 2021-11, Vol.40 (21), p.e108174-n/a

Ort / Verlag

England: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2021

Quelle

Wiley-Blackwell Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• All bacteria produce secreted vesicles that carry out a variety of important biological functions. These extracellular vesicles can improve adaptation and survival by relieving bacterial stress and eliminating toxic compounds, as well as by facilitating membrane remodeling and ameliorating inhospitable environments. However, vesicle production comes with a price. It is energetically costly and, in the case of colonizing pathogens, it elicits host immune responses, which reduce bacterial viability. This raises an interesting paradox regarding why bacteria produce vesicles and begs the question as to whether the benefits of producing vesicles outweigh their costs. In this review, we discuss the various advantages and disadvantages associated with Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacterial vesicle production and offer perspective on the ultimate score. We also highlight questions needed to advance the field in determining the role for vesicles in bacterial survival, interkingdom communication, and virulence. Why do bacteria produce vesicles? They facilitate nutrient acquisition, survival, and adaptation, but also elicit antagonistic host responses. Close examination reveals how vesicle production yields a net positive for bacteria.