Solvent tolerance in Gram-negative bacteria

► Bacteria respond to solvents by increasing cell membrane packaging to reduce solvent permeability. ► Entry of solvents into the cell provokes a stress response in which many chaperones are involved. ► Some microbes fight solvent toxicity by degrading the compound to generate energy. ► Efflux pumps that remove solvents from the cell are key players, and allow cells to thrive in the presence of toxic chemicals.