MexBmediated

MexBmediated refers to a process or phenomenon that is facilitated or carried out by the bacterial protein MexB. MexB is a component of the MexAB-OprM multidrug efflux pump found in many Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This efflux pump plays a crucial role in the expulsion of a wide range of antimicrobial agents and other toxic compounds from the bacterial cell.

The MexAB-OprM system is a tripartite pump consisting of three protein components: MexA, an inner membrane fusion protein; MexB, a multidrug transporter in the inner membrane; and OprM, an outer membrane protein. MexB itself is the central transporter, utilizing the proton motive force to actively pump substrates out of the cytoplasm and periplasm across the inner membrane.

When something is described as "MexBmediated," it implies that the action or effect in question is dependent on the functional activity of MexB. This could include the efflux of specific antibiotics, the development of multidrug resistance in a bacterial population, or even the transport of certain bacterial metabolites or virulence factors if MexB is involved in their secretion. Understanding MexBmediated processes is vital in the study of bacterial pathogenesis and the development of strategies to combat antibiotic resistance, as inhibiting MexB function can re-sensitize bacteria to antibiotics.