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Updated: May 11, 2026
10:07
High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells
Published on: January 7, 2019
Structure, function, and biology of the Enterococcus faecalis cytolysin
Daria Van Tyne1, Melissa J Martin, Michael S Gilmore
1Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Toxins
|May 1, 2013
Summary
Enterococcus faecalis, a gut microbe, can become a dangerous hospital pathogen. Its cytolysin toxin, a unique bacteriocin, lyses cells and is key to understanding this pathogen.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium, commonly found in the gut microbiota.
- It has emerged as a multidrug-resistant, hospital-acquired pathogen.
- Virulent strains produce cytolysin, a pore-forming exotoxin that lyses cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of cytolysin biosynthesis and structure/function.
- To discuss the role of cytolysin in the biology of Enterococcus faecalis.
- To explore opportunities for advancing research using emerging technologies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cytolysin research.
- Analysis of cytolysin's classification as a lantibiotic.
- Discussion of structure-function relationships and biosynthesis pathways.
Main Results:
- Cytolysin is a unique bacteriocin with specific characteristics.
- It lyses both bacterial and eukaryotic cells.
- Quorum sensing regulates cytolysin production.
Conclusions:
- Cytolysin is a critical virulence factor in Enterococcus faecalis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate its mechanisms.
- Emerging technologies offer new avenues for studying cytolysin.
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