Current fluctuation analysis of the PopB and PopD translocon components of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa type III secretion system.

ABSTRACT: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major agent of hospital-acquired infections, and a pathogen of immunocompromised, cystic fibrosis and burn patients. It uses a type III secretion system for the injection of toxins directly into host cells, through a translocon assembled in the host cell membrane. The hydrophobic translocator subunits of this system, PopB and PopD, have membrane permeabilizing activity based on previous dye leakage experiments, but little is known about the mechanism of assembly and the pore properties of this translocon. Using electrophysiology, we have observed that an equimolar mixture of PopB and PopD induces current fluctuations in planar lipid bilayers, with a unitary conductance of 57 pS in 1 M KCl and numerous larger conductance levels. The activity depends on voltage ma

SUBMITTER: Wager B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3617441 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature