Recombinant Escherichia coli Major outer membrane lipoprotein Lpp (lpp)

An outer membrane lipoprotein that controls the distance between the inner and outer membranes; adding residues to Lpp increases the width of the periplasm. The only protein known to be covalently linked to the peptidoglycan network (PGN). Also non-covalently binds the PGN. The link between the cell outer membrane and PGN contributes to the maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of the cell envelope, and maintains the correct distance between the PGN and the outer membrane. The most abundant cellular protein in terms of copy number, there can be up to one million Lpp molecules per cell. About one-third of Lpp is bound to the PGN (called bound or periplasmic) the rest is called free or transmembrane. The 'free' form can be surface labeled by membrane impermeable agents and so must cross the outer membrane; it is thought that this transmembrane form is still anchored in the inner leaflet of the outer membrane. Modeling suggests that non-covalent binding of OmpA (from the outer membrane) and TolR (from the inner membrane) to peptidoglycan maintains the position of the cell wall in the periplasm, holding it approximately equidistant from both the inner and outer membranes. Trimeric Lpp controls the width of the periplasm, adjusts its tilt angle to accommodate to the available space, and can compensate in part for an absence of OmpA (Probable). The role of the cell surface-exposed, free form (transmembrane) of Lpp is unknown.