Anionic lipids: determinants of binding cytotoxins from snake venom on the surface of cell membranes.

ABSTRACT: The cytotoxic properties of cytotoxins (CTs) from snake venom are mediated by their interaction with the cell membrane. The hydrophobic pattern containing the tips of loops I-III and flanked by polar residues is known to be a membrane-binding motif of CTs. However, this is not enough to explain the difference in activity among various CTs which are similar in sequence and in 3D structure. The mechanism of further CT-membrane interaction leading to pore formation and cell death still remains unknown. Published experimental data on the specific interaction between CT and low molecular weight anionic components (sulphatide) of the bilayer point to the existence of corresponding ligand binding sites on the surface of toxin molecules. In this work we study the membrane-lytic properties of CT I,

SUBMITTER: Konshina AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3347550 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature