Clostridium perfringens ε-toxin shows structural similarity to the pore-forming toxin aerolysin
Nature structural & molecular biology, 2004•nature.com
Abstract ε-Toxin from Clostridium perfringens is a lethal toxin. Recent studies suggest that
the toxin acts via an unusually potent pore-forming mechanism. Here we report the crystal
structure of ε-toxin, which reveals structural similarity to aerolysin from Aeromonas
hydrophila. Pore-forming toxins can change conformation between soluble and
transmembrane states. By comparing the two toxins, we have identified regions important for
this transformation.
the toxin acts via an unusually potent pore-forming mechanism. Here we report the crystal
structure of ε-toxin, which reveals structural similarity to aerolysin from Aeromonas
hydrophila. Pore-forming toxins can change conformation between soluble and
transmembrane states. By comparing the two toxins, we have identified regions important for
this transformation.
Abstract
ε-Toxin from Clostridium perfringens is a lethal toxin. Recent studies suggest that the toxin acts via an unusually potent pore-forming mechanism. Here we report the crystal structure of ε-toxin, which reveals structural similarity to aerolysin from Aeromonas hydrophila. Pore-forming toxins can change conformation between soluble and transmembrane states. By comparing the two toxins, we have identified regions important for this transformation.
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