MlaC is a component of the Mla pathway, an ABC transport system that functions to maintain the asymmetry of the outer membrane [1]. This family of proteins is involved in toluene tolerance, which is mediated by increased cell membrane rigidity resulting from changes in fatty acid and phospholipid compositions, exclusion of toluene from the cell membrane, and removal of intracellular toluene by degradation [2-3]. Many proteins are involved in these processes.

1: An ABC transport system that maintains lipid asymmetry in the gram-negative outer membrane. Malinverni JC, Silhavy TJ; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106:8009-8014. PMID:19383799

2: Mechanisms for solvent tolerance in bacteria. Ramos JL, Duque E, Rodriguez-Herva JJ, Godoy P, Haidour A, Reyes F, Fernandez-Barrero A; J Biol Chem 1997;272:3887-3890. PMID:9020089

3: Isolation and characterization of toluene-sensitive mutants from the toluene-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas putida GM73. Kim K, Lee S, Lee K, Lim D; J Bacteriol 1998;180:3692-3696. PMID:9658016