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Mechanism of membrane translocation by anthrax toxin: insertion and pore formation by protective antigen
Article first published online: 25 DEC 2001
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00889.x
1365-2672/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=c77114a65c2d4b5cc5501f9ca1a6c03e826dec22 "Journal of Applied Microbiology")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Collier, R. J. (1999), Mechanism of membrane translocation by anthrax toxin: insertion and pore formation by protective antigen. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 87: 283. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00889.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 25 DEC 2001
- Article first published online: 25 DEC 2001
- Received and revised 15 May 1999 and accepted 29 May 1999
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
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.