aerolysin bacterial toxin clostridium perfringens toxin hemolysin leukocidin monomer oligomer unclassified drug beta sheet cell death channel gating crystal structure protein assembly protein secretion Humans Bacterial Toxins
Issue Date:
2004
Publisher:
Journal of Biochemistry
Citation:
Volume 136, Issue 5, Page 563-567
Abstract:
Bacterial ?-barrel pore-forming toxins are secreted as water-soluble monomeric proteins and
assemble into ?-barrel-shaped pores/channels through membranes of target cells, causing cell death and
lysis. The pore assemblies that undergo various intermediate stages are symbolized by the association of
multi-subunit structures in cells. Crystal structures of water-soluble monomers and membrane-embedded
oligomeric pores, and recent studies involving biochemical detection and direct visualization of the
sequential assembly of the toxin monomers have solved the mystery of how the pores are formed. Here, we
review the mechanism of the cooperative assembly of several toxins of interest to explain the nature of the
activities of the toxins. ?? 2004 The Japanese Biochemical Society.
