title: VacA from Helicobacter pylori: a hexameric chloride channel.
abstract: VacA is a unique protein toxin secreted by the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori. At a neutral pH, the cytotoxin self-associates into predominantly dodecameric complexes. In this report, we show that at an acidic pH, VacA forms anion selective channels in planar phospholipid bilayers. Similar to several other chloride channels, the VacA channel exhibits a moderate selectivity for anions over cations (P(Cl):P(Na) = 4.2:1), inhibition by the blocker 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and a permeability sequence, SCN- >> I- > Br- > Cl- > F, consistent with a 'weak field strength' binding site for the permeant anion. Single channel recordings reveal rapid transitions (486 s(-1)) between the closed state and a single open state of 24 pS (+60 mV, 1.5 M NaCl). Evaluation of the rate of increase in macroscopic current as well as atomic force microscopy suggest that this VacA channel is a hexamer, formed by the assembly of membrane-bound monomers. Not only are these VacA channels likely to play an important role in the pathological activity of this toxin, but they may also serve as a model system to further investigate the mechanism of anion selectivity in general.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwamoto
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Czajkowsky
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Cover
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szabo
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shao
mesh_terms: D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000838:Anions; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry*; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004594:Electrophysiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008081:Liposomes; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D000838:Anions; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D018118:Chloride Channels; D008081:Liposomes; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori; D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid