Cholesterol as a target for toxins

Biosci Rep. 1990 Apr;10(2):127-30. doi: 10.1007/BF01116571.

Abstract

A mechanism is proposed for the way in which cholesterol facilitates channel formation by polyene antibiotics and bacterial protein toxins. Central elements of the model are: (i) interactions between the ring system of the sterol and rigid elements of the polyene or toxin molecule, and (ii) the specific orientation of cholesterol within the membrane.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amphotericin B / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chemistry
  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Ion Channels / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Ion Channels
  • Amphotericin B
  • Cholesterol