Pore-Forming Proteins and their Application in Biotechnology

Authors: Panchal R.G.; Smart M.L.; Bowser D.N.; Williams D.A.; Petrou S.

Source: Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Volume 3, Number 2, June 2002 , pp. 99-115(17)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Proteins and peptides that form membrane-spanning pores and channels comprise a diverse class of molecules ranging from short peptides that are unregulated and create nonselective pathways to large ion channel proteins that are highly regulated and exhibit exquisite selectivity for particular ions. The diversity of regulation and selectivity, together with recent advances in protein “re-engineering” technology, provide a strong framework on which to build custom molecules with wide-ranging biotechnological application. Here we review a selection of pore-forming peptides and proteins from a number of different species to highlight their structural and functional diversity. The current and potential uses of native and re-engineered molecules are discussed together with a novel strategy to re-engineer - hemolysin to create targeted and regulable cell-killing agents termed proimmunolysins. Numerous pore-forming peptides are currently in development as antimicrobial agents with potential application as anti-tumorigenic agents. In addition to their roles as biotherapeutic agents, pore-forming proteins are also being developed as biosensors for a range of different analytes. Recent examples of this technology include the use of -hemolysin with an adapter molecule to create sensors for organic molecules and gramicidin as a general-purpose sensor for a range of analytes. These approaches promise to deliver a configurable binding site for analytes encoded in a readily measured electrical signal. The number of applications for pore-forming molecules is sure to grow in both quantity and diversity with increased knowledge of the fundamental structure and function of pores.

Keywords: pfps; pores; ion-channels; porin; maltoporin

Language: English

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389201023378418

Publication date: 2002-06-01

• Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology aims to cover all the latest and outstanding developments in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. Each issue of the journal contains a series of timely in-depth reviews written by leaders in the field covering a range of current topics in both pre-clinical and clinical areas of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is an essential journal for academic, clinical, government and pharmaceutical scientists who wish to be kept informed and up-to-date with the latest and most important developments.

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• In this Subject: Nutrition & Food ,  Biotechnology ,  Pharmacology
• By this author: Panchal R.G. ;  Smart M.L. ;  Bowser D.N. ;  Williams D.A. ;  Petrou S.

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