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Related Experiment Videos

Staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin can form hexamers in phospholipid bilayers

D M Czajkowsky1, S Sheng, Z Shao

  • 1Department of Molecular Physiology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908, USA.

Journal of Molecular Biology
|March 26, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Atomic force microscopy revealed staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin forms a hexamer in lipid bilayers, differing from the heptamer seen in micelles. This finding suggests alpha-hemolysin can adopt multiple stable oligomeric structures.

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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Microbiology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin (alpha HL) is a pore-forming toxin.
  • Previous studies suggested a heptameric structure in deoxycholate (DOC) micelles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the oligomeric structure of alpha HL in supported phospholipid bilayers.
  • To compare the structure of alpha HL in lipid bilayers with that formed in micelles.

Main Methods:

  • Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for high-resolution imaging.
  • Gel electrophoresis for stoichiometric analysis.
  • Lattice constant measurements from AFM images.

Main Results:

  • AFM images unequivocally showed a hexameric structure of alpha HL in phospholipid bilayers.

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  • Stoichiometry was independently supported by lattice constant measurements and gel electrophoresis.
  • Stable, incomplete oligomers were also observed.

    • Conclusions:

    • Alpha HL can form at least two distinct, stable oligomers with different stoichiometries (hexamer in bilayers, heptamer in micelles).
    • The observed hexameric structure in bilayers may be relevant to the mechanism of cell damage.
    • Further investigation into subunit structure differences between oligomers is warranted.