Anthrax toxin-induced rupture of artificial lipid bilayer membranes.
We demonstrate experimentally that anthrax toxin complexes rupture artificial lipid bilayer membranes when isolated from the blood of infected animals. When the solution pH is temporally acidified to mimic that process in endosomes, recombinant anthrax toxin forms an irreversibly bound complex, which also destabilizes membranes. The results suggest an alternative mechanism for the translocation of anthrax toxin into the cytoplasm.
Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8120, USA.
Brian J
BJ
Nablo
Rekha G
RG
Panchal
Sina
S
Bavari
Tam L
TL
Nguyen
Rick
R
Gussio
Wil
W
Ribot
Art
A
Friedlander
Donald
D
Chabot
Joseph E
JE
Reiner
Joseph W F
JW
Robertson
Arvind
A
Balijepalli
Kelly M
KM
Halverson
John J
JJ
Kasianowicz
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects*; D011992:Endosomes / Q000187:drug effects; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011817:Rabbits
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C030325:anthrax toxin