The integrity of the plasma membranes is extremely crucial for the survival and proper functioning of the cells. Organisms from all kingdoms of life employ specialized pore-forming proteins and toxins (PFPs and PFTs) that perforate cell membranes, and cause detrimental effects. PFPs/PFTs exert their damaging actions by forming oligomeric pores in the membrane lipid bilayer. PFPs/PFTs play important roles in diverse biological processes. Many pathogenic bacteria secrete PFTs for executing their virulence mechanisms. The immune system of the higher vertebrates employs PFPs to kill pathogen-infected cells and transformed cancer cells. The most obvious consequence of membrane pore-formation by the PFPs/PFTs is the killing of the target cells due to the disruption of the permeability barrier function of the plasma membranes. PFPs/PFTs can also activate diverse cellular processes that include activation of the stress-response pathways, induction of programmed cell death, and inflammation. Upon attack by the PFTs, host cells may also activate pathways to repair the injured membranes, restore cellular homeostasis, and trigger inflammatory immune responses. In this article, we present an overview of the diverse cellular responses that are triggered by the PFPs/PFTs, and their implications in the process of pathogen infection and immunity.
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February 2021
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On the implications of the copper co-factor in lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase. A brief overview of structure, oxygen activation and application as bioindustrial process tools for decomposition of lignocellulose. Further information can be found in the review by Ipsen and colleagues (pages 531–540). Image provided by Katja Johansen.
Review Article|
January 25 2021
Pore-forming toxins in infection and immunity
Pratima Verma;
Pratima Verma
*
Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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Shraddha Gandhi;
Shraddha Gandhi
*
Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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Kusum Lata;
Kusum Lata
*
Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
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Kausik Chattopadhyay
Department of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, SAS Nagar, Manauli, Mohali, Punjab 140306, India
Correspondence: Kausik Chattopadhyay (kausik@iisermohali.ac.in)
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 28 2020
Revision Received:
January 02 2021
Accepted:
January 06 2021
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society
2021
Biochem Soc Trans (2021) 49 (1): 455–465.
Article history
Received:
November 28 2020
Revision Received:
January 02 2021
Accepted:
January 06 2021
Citation
Pratima Verma, Shraddha Gandhi, Kusum Lata, Kausik Chattopadhyay; Pore-forming toxins in infection and immunity. Biochem Soc Trans 26 February 2021; 49 (1): 455–465. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20200836
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