A historical perspective on the multifunctional outer membrane channel protein TolC in Escherichia coli

Mallory Wright; Mandeep Kaur; Laura K. Thompson; Georgina Cox

doi:10.1038/s44259-025-00078-3

npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (Jan 2025)

A historical perspective on the multifunctional outer membrane channel protein TolC in Escherichia coli

Mallory Wright,
Mandeep Kaur,
Laura K. Thompson,
Georgina Cox

Affiliations

Mallory Wright: College of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
Mandeep Kaur: College of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
Laura K. Thompson: College of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph
Georgina Cox: College of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00078-3
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 3, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Since its discovery nearly 60 years ago, TolC has been associated with various cellular functions in Escherichia coli, including the efflux of environmental stressors and virulence factors. It also acts as a receptor for specific bacteriophages and the colicin E1 toxin. This review highlights key discoveries over the past six decades and emphasizes the remaining gaps in understanding how TolC contributes to physiological functions in E. coli.

Published in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance

ISSN: 2731-8745 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: https://www.nature.com/npjamar/

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