The periplasmic space is a lot thicker in Gram negative bacteria. This space may be filled with a loose network of peptidoglycan and may constitute up to 40% of the total cell volume. This space is involved in various biochemical pathways including nutrient acquisition, synthesis of peptidoglycan, electron transport, and alteration of substances toxic to the cell. Gram-positive bacteria do not have as many periplasmic proteins compared to the Gram-negative bacteria. Instead Gram-positive bacteria secrete enzymes which would normally be found in the periplasmic space of the Gram-negative bacteria. This secreted enzyme is referred to as an exoenzyme.
The periplasmic space is of particular clinical importance in that it is the site, in some species, that contains beta-lactamase, an enzyme responsible for degrading the penicillin group of antibiotic drugs, leading to penicillin resistance.
References
- D. White, The Physiology and Biochemistry of Prokaryotes, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2000, pp. 22.
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Last updated on Sunday June 22, 2008 at 11:56:11 PDT (GMT -0700)
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