title: Binding of N-terminal fragments of anthrax edema factor (EF(N)) and lethal factor (LF(N)) to the protective antigen pore.
abstract: Anthrax toxin consists of three different molecules: the binding component protective antigen (PA, 83 kDa), and the enzymatic components lethal factor (LF, 90 kDa) and edema factor (EF, 89 kDa). The 63 kDa C-terminal part of PA, PA(63), forms heptameric channels that insert in endosomal membranes at low pH, necessary to translocate EF and LF into the cytosol of target cells. In many studies, about 30 kDa N-terminal fragments of the enzymatic components EF (254 amino acids) and LF (268 amino acids) were used to study their interaction with PA(63)-channels. Here, in experiments with artificial lipid bilayer membranes, EF(N) and LF(N) show block of PA(63)-channels in a dose, voltage and ionic strength dependent way with high affinity. However, when compared to their full-length counterparts EF and LF, they exhibit considerably lower binding affinity. Decreasing ionic strength and, in the case of EF(N), increasing transmembrane voltage at the cis side of the membranes, resulted in a strong decrease of half saturation constants. Our results demonstrate similarities but also remarkable differences between the binding kinetics of both truncated and full-length effectors to the PA(63)-channel.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Biotechnologie, Theodor-Boveri-Institut (Biozentrum) der Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leuber
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kronhardt
authors.forename: Fiorella
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tonello
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dal Molin
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benz
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000201:enzymology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000502:physiology; D020836:Protein Structure, Quaternary / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; C030325:anthrax toxin