Cardiolipin plays an essential role in the formation of intracellular membranes in Escherichia coli

The over-production of F-ATPase subunit b in C43(DE3) E. coli cells induces intracellular membrane (ICM) proliferation. The new membranes are enriched in cardiolipin (CL), a negatively charged phospholipid which is normally associated to membrane areas with intrinsic negative curvature. Close inspection to the ICM indicate the formation of HII inverted hexagonal phases (B).358