Mechanism of membrane translocation by anthrax toxin: insertion and pore formation by protective antigen

Author: Collier, R. J.

Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology, Volume 87, Number 2, August 1999 , pp. 283-283(1)

Buy & download fulltext article:

You have access to the full text article on a website external to ingentaconnect.

Please click here to view this article on Wiley Online Library.

You may be required to register and activate access on Wiley Online Library before you can obtain the full text. If you have any queries please visit Wiley Online Library

Abstract:

Proteolytic activation of receptor-bound protective antigen (PA) at the cell surface removes PA₂₀, allowing PA₆₃ to oligomerize and form a ring-shaped heptameric prepore. The prepore binds edema factor (EF) and lethal factor (LF) and, after endocytosis and trafficking of the complex to an acidic, vesicular compartment, it undergoes membrane insertion and mediates translocation of EF/LF to the cytosol. Data from membrane conductance experiments support a model of membrane insertion in which the 2β2-2β3 loop of PA, which is disordered in native PA and the prepore, forms a 14-stranded transmembrane β-barrel. Recent studies on the process of prepore-to-pore conversion and our current understanding of the mechanism of pH-dependent translocation will be described.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00889.x

Affiliations: 1: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

Publication date: 1999-08-01