Membrane binding requirements for the cytolytic activity of Leishmania amazonensis leishporin.
To lyse cells, some pore-forming proteins need to bind to receptors on their targets. Studying the binding requirements of Leishmania amazonensis leishporin, we have shown that protease-treated erythrocytes are as sensitive to leishporin-mediated lysis as untreated cells, indicating that protein receptors are dispensable. Similarly, carbohydrate receptors do not seem to be needed, since several sugars do not inhibit leishporin-mediated hemolysis. Conversely, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), but not cholesterol, completely inhibits leishporin-mediated lysis. DPPC liposomes, with or without cholesterol, are lysed by leishporin and remove its lytic activity. Our results demonstrate that leishporin is a cholesterol-independent cytolysin that binds directly to phospholipids.
Castro-Gomes
Thiago
T
Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Almeida-Campos
Flávia Regina
FR
Calzavara-Silva
Carlos Eduardo
CE
da Silva
Rosiane Aparecida
RA
Frézard
Frédéric
F
Horta
Maria Fátima
MF
D000818:Animals; D002241:Carbohydrates; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000378:metabolism*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D002241:Carbohydrates; D008081:Liposomes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D010743:Phospholipids; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C412371:leishporin protein, Leishmania; D002784:Cholesterol