On conducting electron traffic across the periplasm.

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria are able to conduct electrons from their cytoplasmic membrane across the periplasm and the outer membrane to redox proteins located on the surface of their cells. The Mtr respiratory pathway in Shewanella is the best-understood metal-reducing pathway to date. The core components of this pathway are well agreed upon, but are they sufficient? Could there be other components that we have yet to uncover? The present paper specifically considers the periplasm, its physical properties and organization. Two models are presented to explain how electrons could be conducted across this compartment in Shewanella.