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New Insights into Interactions between Mushroom Aegerolysins and Membrane Lipids
Larisa Lara Popošek1, Nada Kraševec2, Gregor Bajc1
1Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Toxins
|March 27, 2024
Summary
Novel mushroom proteins, aegerolysins and MACPF, form active cytolytic complexes. Some aegerolysins bind glycerophospholipids, showing potential as biosensors for phosphatidic acid.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- Aegerolysins are proteins that bind membrane lipids, acting as sensors.
- Fungal aegerolysins, particularly from *Pleurotus*, are well-studied.
- Aegerolysin-MACPF protein pairs from fungi can lyse cells and serve as bioinsecticides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To recombinantly express and characterize novel aegerolysin/MACPF protein pairs from four mushroom species.
- To compare the lytic activity and lipid-binding properties of these new pairs with a known pair from *P. ostreatus*.
- To explore the potential of mushroom aegerolysins as molecular biosensors.
Main Methods:
- Recombinant expression of four novel aegerolysin/MACPF protein pairs.
- Comparison with the ostreolysin A6-pleurotolysin B pair.
- Assessment of cytolytic complex formation and lipid-binding specificity.
Main Results:
- Most novel aegerolysin/MACPF pairs formed active cytolytic complexes.
- Aegerolysins bound to membrane sphingolipids, leading to pore formation.
- Selected aegerolysins also bound glycerophospholipids (phosphatidic acid, cardiolipin) without pore formation.
Conclusions:
- Mushroom aegerolysin/MACPF complexes exhibit cytolytic activity.
- Specific mushroom aegerolysins demonstrate potential as molecular biosensors for phosphatidic acid labeling.
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