title: Membrane interactions and cellular effects of MACPF/CDC proteins.
abstract: The cell membrane is crucial for protection of the cell from its environment. MACPF/CDC proteins are a large superfamily known to be essential for bacterial pathogenesis and proper functioning of the immune system. The three most studied groups of MACPF/CDC proteins are cholesterol-dependent cytolysins from bacteria, the membrane attack complex of complement and human perforin. Their primary function is to form transmembrane pores in target cell membranes. The common mechanism of action comprises water-soluble monomeric proteins binding to the host cell membrane, oligomerization, and formation of a functional pore. This causes a disturbance in gradients of ions and other molecules across the membrane and can lead to cell death. Cells react to this form of attack in a complex manner. Responses can be general, like removing the perforated part of the membrane, or more specific, in many cases depending on binding of proteins to specific receptors to trigger various signalling cascades.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Miša Mojca
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cajnko
authors.forename: Miha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mikelj
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turk
authors.forename: Marjetka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Podobnik
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anderluh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D003603:Cytotoxins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D054353:Perforin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding
chemical_list: D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D003603:Cytotoxins; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin; D002784:Cholesterol