FEATURES

FAMILY

DESCRIPTION

Also known as TACY_CLOPE, pfo, pfoA, pfoR. A cholesterol-dependent toxin that causes cytolysis by forming pores in cholesterol-containing host membranes. After binding to target membranes, the protein assembles into a pre-pore complex. A major conformational change leads to insertion in the host membrane and formation of an oligomeric pore complex. Cholesterol is required for binding to host cell membranes, membrane insertion and pore formation; cholesterol binding is mediated by a Thr-Leu pair in the C-terminus. Can be reversibly inactivated by oxidation. Modeling based on cryo-EM shows a homooligomeric pore complex containing 38-44 subunits; when inserted in the host membrane.

EXTERNAL LINKS

pfo

Perfringolysin O

pfo

Molecular Synopsis