Mode of action of antimicrobial proteins, pore-forming toxins and biologically active peptides (Hypothesis)
Date
2005
Authors
Schmidt, O.
Rahman, M.
Ma, G.
Theopold, U.
Sun, Y.
Sarjan, M.
Fabbri, M.
Roberts, H.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Invertebrate Survival Journal, 2005; 2(2):82-90
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides and pore-forming toxins are important effectors in innate immune defence reactions. But their mode of action, comprising the insertion into cholesterol-containing membranes is not known. Here we explore the mechanical implications of pore-formation by extracellular protein assemblies that drive cellular uptake reactions by leverage-mediated (LM) processes, where oligomeric adhesion molecules bent membrane-receptors around ‘hinge’-like lipophorin particles. The interactions of antimicrobial peptides, pore-forming toxins and biologically active proteins with LMassemblies provide a new paradigm for the configurational specificity and sterical selectivity of biologically active peptides.