Toxin channels

Interestingly, Ca2+ inhibits the conductance of a-LTX channels to monovalent cations, causing a flickery block, in artificial membranes (Mironov et al. 1986 Krasil nikov et al. 1988), neuroblastoma cells (Hurlbut et al. 1994), and embryonic kidney cells (Hlubek et al. 2000), although this is not apparent in receptor-expressing oocytes (Filippov et al. 1994). Mg2+ positively modulates the conductivity of toxin channel for Ca2+ (Davletov et al. 1998 Van Renterghem et al. 2000). 

It is possible that the water-filled a-LTX channel, which is relatively wide ( 10A at its narrowest (Krasilnikov and Sabirov 1992 Orlova et al. 2000), can pass small molecules. Indeed, a-LTX channels inserted in the membranes of synaptosomes, NMJ nerve terminals, and receptor-transfected COS7 cells appear to pass fluorescein (Stokes-Einstein radius, Re = 4.5 A) and norepinephrine (Re < 4 A) (Davletov et al. 1998 Rahman et al. 1999 Volynski et al. 2000), shown in Figure 2 for comparison with 8-hydrated calcium ion (Rc = 4.2 A) and the toxin channel. Analysis of impermeant cations commonly used in channel studies reveals that a-LTX channels are poorly permeable (Hurlbut et al. 1994) to glucosamine H+(Re = 4.6 A) and not significantly permeable (Tse and Tse 1999) to N-methyl-D-glucamine (Re = 5.2 A), thus limiting the pore diameter by 10 A. 

Regardless of the true role of channel formation in productive internalization, it is fascinating that microbial toxins, which presumably are ancient molecules, have this property. It is inevitable that investigators will compare the molecular biology and structure of toxin channels with corresponding properties of endogenous channels (e.g. sodium or potassium), and from this deduce something about the evolution of channels. 

Figure 6. Noise of protonation in the current through an open alpha-toxin channel as a function of pH (47). Spectral density is white at low frequencies and is represented by values averaged over the 200-2000-Hz range. The data were obtained in 1-M NaCl solutions at 150 mV of membrane voltage. The solid line is a two-parameter fit to the first-order ionization reaction that describes a reversible protonation of residues in the channel-forming molecule.

Finkelstein, A., 2009. Proton-coupled protein transport through the anthrax toxin channel, Phil Trans. R. Soc., B364, 209-215. 

Dmg receptors are chemical entities which are typically, but not exclusively, small molecules that interact with cellular components, frequently at the plasma membrane level (1,2). There are many types of receptors heat, light, immune, hormone, ion channel, toxin, and vims are but a few that can excite a cell. The receptor concept can be appHed generally to signal recognition processes where a chemical or physical signal is recognized. This recognition is translated into response (Fig. 3) and the process can be seen as a flow of information. 

Sensitive to toxins, in this case means that the assay presents no false negative results. Primary hepatocytes can elucidate hepatotoxins, and mouse neuroblastoma cells can elucidate sodium channel-blocking neurotoxins therefore these assays can be used to screen for the appropriate toxins. 

B. thurigiensis is a common Gram-positive, spore-forming soil bacterium that produces inclusion bodies, microcrystalline clusters of many different proteins. These crystalline proteins, called 5-endotoxins, are the ion channel toxins that are sold commercially for pest control. Most such endotoxins are protoxins, which are inactive until cleaved to smaller, active proteins by proteases in the gut of a susceptible insect. One such crystalline protoxin. 

Knowles, B. H., Blatt, M. R., Tester, M., et al., 1989. A cytosolic 5-endo-toxin from Bacillus thurigiensis var. israelensis forms cation-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers. FEES Letters 244 259-262. 

Interestingly, certain other pore-forming toxins possess helix-bundle motifs that may participate in channel formation, in a manner similar to that proposed for colicin la. For example, the S-endotoxui produced by Bacillus thuringiensis is toxic to Coleoptera insects (beetles) and is composed of three domains, including a seven-helix bundle, a three-sheet domain, and a /3-sandwich. In the seven-helix bundle, helix 5 is highly hydrophobic, and the other six helices are amphipathic. In solution (Figure 10.32), the six amphipathic... 

FIGURE 10.32 The structures of (a) S-eudotoxiu (two views) from Bacillus thuringiensis and (b) diphtheria toxin from Cmynehacterium diphtheriae. Each of these toxins possesses a bundle of a-hehces which is presumed to form the trausmembraue channel when the toxin Is Inserted across the host membrane. In S-endotoxln, helix 5 (white) Is surrounded by 6 helices (red) In a 7-hellx bundle. In diphtheria toxin, three hydrophobic helices (white) lie at the center of the transmembrane domain (red). 

Recently, a variety of natural peptides that form transmembrane channels have been identified and characterized. Melittin (Figure 10.35) is a bee venom toxin peptide of 26 residues. The cecropins are peptides induced in Hyalophora cecropia (Figure 10.36) and other related silkworms when challenged by bacterial infections. These peptides are thought to form m-helical aggregates in mem-... 

All of the transport systems examined thus far are relatively large proteins. Several small molecule toxins produced by microorganisms facilitate ion transport across membranes. Due to their relative simplicity, these molecules, the lonophore antibiotics, represent paradigms of the mobile carrier and pore or charmel models for membrane transport. Mobile carriers are molecules that form complexes with particular ions and diffuse freely across a lipid membrane (Figure 10.38). Pores or channels, on the other hand, adopt a fixed orientation in a membrane, creating a hole that permits the transmembrane movement of ions. These pores or channels may be formed from monomeric or (more often) multimeric structures in the membrane. 

Parker, M., Buckley, J., Postma, J., et al., 1994. Structure of the Aeromonas toxin proaerolysin in its water-soluble and membrane-channel states. Nature 367 292-295. 

Functionally, the Dl-like receptors (Dl, D5) are coupled to the G protein Gas and thus can stimulate adenylyl cyclase. The D2-like receptors (D2, D3, and D4) couple to pertussis toxin sensitive G proteins (Gai/0), and consequently inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity. While the Dl-like receptors almost exclusively signal through Gas-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase, the D2-like receptors have been reported to modulate the activity of a plethora of signaling molecules and pathways. Many of these actions are mediated through the G(3y subunit. Some of these molecules and pathways include the calcium channels, potassium channels, sodium-hydrogen exchanger, arachidonic acid release, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. 

The OP group of receptois share common effector mechanisms. All receptois couple via pertussis toxin-sensitive Go and Gi proteins leading to (i) inhibition of adenylate cyclase (ii) reduction of Ca2+ currents via diverse Ca2+ channels (hi) activation of inward rectifying K+ channels. In addition, the majority of these receptors cause the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phospholipase C 3 (PLC 3), phospholipase D2 and of MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase (Table 3). 

Pertussis toxin is produced by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It covalently modifies G-proteins of the G/Go family (transfer of a ADP-ribose moiety of NAD onto G-protein a-subunits). ADP-ribosylated G-proteins are arrested in their inactive state and, as a consequence, functionally uncoupled from their respective effectors. Examples for pertussis toxin-sensitive cellular responses include the hormonal inhibition of adenylyl cyclases, stimulation ofK+ channels, inhibition of Ca2+ channels and stimulation ofthe cGMP-phosphodiesterase in retinal rods. 

Molecular biology studies have identified a loop containing 20-25 amino acid residues between S5 and S6 (or Ml and M2, Fig. 2) forming the pore. The G(Y/F) G motif located in the pore represents the K+-selectivity signature, which is common to all K+ channels. The external entry to the channel pore and its adjacent residues constitute binding sites for toxins and blockers. The internal vestibule of the pore and the adjacent residues in S5 and S6 contribute to binding sites for compounds such as 4-aminopyiidine and quinidine. The S4-S5 linker lies close to the permeation pathway and is required for... 

Saxitoxin (STX) is a toxin which is found in marine microorganisms. It is most likely synthesized by bacteria which live in symbiosis with dinoflagellates, a component of phytoplankton. Through the marine food chain, it can lead to poisoning of humans. The mechanism of toxicity of saxitoxin is vety similar to that of tetrodotoxin. Saxitoxin binds from the outside of the membrane to various forms of voltage-sensitive Na+channels and blocks the channel in an activation state-independent manner. 

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a toxin derived from bacteria which is concentrated in the gonads and liver of certain pufferfishes (fugu). Similar to saxitoxin, tetrodotoxin is a very potent blocker of most voltage-sensitive Na+ channels. 

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