Packing a punch: the mechanism of pore formation by cholesterol dependent cytolysins and membrane attack complex/perforin-like proteins.

Rodney K Tweten, Michelle A Dunstone

Journal: Current opinion in structural biology 2012;22(3):342-9

PMID: 22658510

Abstract

The bacterial cholesterol dependent cytolysins (CDCs) and membrane attack complex/perforin-like proteins (MACPF) represent two major branches of a large, exceptionally diverged superfamily. Most characterized CDC/MACPF proteins form large pores that function in immunity, venoms, and pathogenesis. Extensive structural, biochemical and biophysical studies have started to address some of the questions surrounding how the soluble, monomeric form of these remarkable molecules recognize diverse targets and assemble into oligomeric membrane embedded pores. This review explores mechanistic similarities and differences in how CDCs and MACPF proteins form pores.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Address: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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