Anthrax toxin rafts into cells.
Anthrax toxin binds to a plasma membrane receptor and after endocytosis exerts its deadly effects on the cell. Until now, however, the mechanism of initial toxin uptake was unknown. In this issue, Abrami et al. (2003) demonstrate that toxin oligomerization clusters the anthrax receptor into lipid rafts and this complex is internalized via the clathrin-dependent pathway.
Kurzchalia
Teymuras
T
Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany. kurzchalia@mpi-cbgt.de
D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D018000:Receptors, Peptide / Q000378:metabolism
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D018000:Receptors, Peptide; C030325:anthrax toxin; C070309:anthrax toxin receptors