How to polymerize in order to survive.
Perforation of membranes and pore formation is mediated by polymerization of proteins of the immune system, complement C9 and Perforin, which share the conserved MACPF domain. In this issue of Immunity, Baran et al. (2009) identify the molecular mechanism initiating polymerization as charge interactions in the MACPF domain.
Podack
Eckhard R
ER
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. epodack@med.miami.edu
D000818:Animals; D003186:Complement C9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D054353:Perforin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology
D003186:Complement C9; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D054353:Perforin