[The structural-functional organization of the diphtheria toxin]

Abstract

The present data on the structure and functional features of diphtheria toxin, the main pathogenic factor of diphtheria infection, have been described. Information on the primary and secondary structures and X-ray analysis of this protein is presented and discussed. The structures of catalytic, transmembrane and receptor-binding domains of diphtheria toxin have been considered in detail and the functional roles of some amino-acid residues of these domains have been analyzed.