The N-terminal half of the heavy chain of botulinum type A neurotoxins forms channels in planar phospholipid bilayers

The heavy chain of botulinum type A neurotoxin forms channels in planar phospholipid bilayer membranes. Channel activity is confined to the N-terminal half of this chain; the C-terminal half is inactive. Channel activity is stimulated by low pH (4.5-5.5) on the cis side (the side to which protein is...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEBS letters 1987-01, Vol.226 (1), p.115-120
Main Authors: Blaustein, RO, Germann, W J, Finkelstein, A, DasGupta, B R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Clostridium botulinum
lipid bilayers
neurotoxins
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The heavy chain of botulinum type A neurotoxin forms channels in planar phospholipid bilayer membranes. Channel activity is confined to the N-terminal half of this chain; the C-terminal half is inactive. Channel activity is stimulated by low pH (4.5-5.5) on the cis side (the side to which protein is added), neutral pH on the opposite (trans) side, and cis positive voltages. These findings are strikingly similar to those previously reported for analogous fragments diphtheria and tetanus toxins.
ISSN:0014-5793