Concept
Porin
Outer-membrane channel of Gram-negatives
POR-in
High-yield clue
Loss of outer-membrane porins reduces antibiotic entry and is a classic contributor to carbapenem resistance.
Overview
A channel-forming protein in the Gram-negative outer membrane that lets small hydrophilic molecules, including some antibiotics, cross into the cell. Loss or mutation of porins reduces drug entry and contributes to resistance.
Classification
- Outer-membrane protein
- Beta-barrel channel
- Selective for small hydrophilic solutes
- Gram-negative structure
Lab & identification clues
- OmpF/OmpC channel vocabulary
- Porin-loss reduced-permeability concept
- Outer-membrane-barrier vocabulary
Associations
- Reduced drug uptake resistance
- Carbapenem-resistance contribution
- Works with efflux and enzymes
Commonly confused with
- Efflux pump
- Beta-lactamase
Your notes
Original microbiology concept summary. Sources checked: OpenStax Microbiology 2e, NCBI Bookshelf Medical Microbiology, and CDC/WHO topic pages where applicable; reviewed 2026-06. Educational only; no diagnosis, treatment selection, infection-control instructions, or specimen-handling guidance.