Elsevier

Biochimie

Volume 72, Issues 2–3, February–March 1990, Pages 123-130
Biochimie

Uptake across the cell envelope and insertion into the inner membrane of ion channel-forming colicins in E coli

https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-9084(90)90137-6Get rights and content

Abstract

Pore-forming colicins exert their lethal effect on E coli through formation of a voltage-dependent channel in the inner (cytoplasmic-membrane) thus destroying the energy potential of sensitive cells. Their mode of action appears to involve 3 steps: i) binding to a specific receptor located in the outer membrane; ii) translocation across this membrane; iii) insertion into the inner membrane. Colicin A has been used as a prototype of pore-forming colicins. In this review, the 3 functional domains of colicin A respectively involved in receptor binding, translocation and pore formation, are defined. The components of sensitive cells implicated in colicin uptake and their interactions with the various colicin A domains are described. The 3-dimensional structure of the pore-forming domain of colicin A has been determined recently. This structure suggests a model of insertion into the cytoplasmic membrane which is supported by model membrane studies. The role of the membrane potential in channel functioning is also discussed.

References (63)

  • B. Lugtenberg et al.

    Biochim Biophys Acta

    (1983)
  • K. Hantke

    FEBS Lett

    (1976)
  • K. Hantke et al.

    FEBS Lett

    (1975)
  • K. Hantke et al.

    FEBS Lett

    (1975)
  • A. Pugsley et al.

    Biochem Biophys Res Commun

    (1977)
  • V. Crozel et al.

    FEBS Lett

    (1984)
  • Y. Ohno-Iwashita et al.

    J Biol Chem

    (1982)
  • K.R. Brunden et al.

    J Biol Chem

    (1984)
  • A.D. Tucker et al.

    J Mol Biol

    (1986)
  • D. Cavard et al.

    FEMS Microbiol Lett

    (1981)
  • E.J. Verschoor et al.

    FEMS Microbiol Lett

    (1988)
  • A.P. Pugsley et al.

    Biochim Biophys Acta

    (1979)
  • K.J. Heller et al.

    Gene

    (1988)
  • C. Lazdunski et al.

    Biochim Biophys Acta

    (1988)
  • D. Cavard et al.

    FEMS Microbiol Lett

    (1982)
  • H. Nikaido et al.

    Microbiol Rev

    (1985)
  • J. Tommassen et al.

    J Bacteriol

    (1980)
  • J. Konisky

    Ann Rev Microbiol

    (1982)
  • D.B. Datta et al.

    J Bacteriol

    (1977)
  • V. Braun et al.
  • R.J. Kadner et al.

    Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitenkd Infektionskr Hyg Abt

    (1979)
  • R. Wayne et al.

    J Bacteriol

    (1975)
  • U. Roos et al.

    Mol Microbiol

    (1989)
  • D. Baty et al.

    EMBO J

    (1987)
  • M.C. Martinez et al.

    EMBO J

    (1983)
  • D. Baty et al.
  • M. Cleveland et al.
  • Q.R. Liu et al.

    Proteins

    (1986)
  • Y. Ohno-Iwashita et al.

    Biochemistry

    (1980)
  • F.K. De Graaf et al.

    Curr Top Microbiol Immunol

    (1986)
  • J.A. Mankovich et al.

    J Bacteriol

    (1986)
  • Cited by (12)

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text