Crossing three membranes. Channel formation by aerolysin

Abstract

Aerolysin is a channel-forming toxin responsible for the pathogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila. It crosses the inner and outer membranes of the bacteria in separate steps and is released as a 52-kDa inactive protoxin which is activated by proteolytic removal of approximately 40 amino acids from the C terminus. The toxin binds to the erythrocyte transmembrane protein glycophorin and oligomerizes before inserting into the membrane, producing a voltage gated, anion selective channel about 1 nm in diameter. Remarkably, proaerolysin appears to be dimeric, whereas the oligomer is a heptamer. Using chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified some of the regions of the molecule which appear to be involved in secretion and in channel formation.