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Action of diphtheria toxin does not depend on the induction of large, stable pores across biological membranes

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Summary

Vero cells exposed to diphtheria toxin at pH 4.5 leak monovalent cations but not amino acids or phosphorylated metabolites; affected cells do not take up trypan blue. Monovalent cation leakage is inhibited by 1mmCd2+, but not by 1mmZn2+ or Ca2+. Cd2+ blocks calcein leakage from liposomes and closes diphtheria toxin-induced channels in lipid bilayers. It is concluded that translocation of the A fragment of diphtheria toxin across biological membranes does not depend on the formation of large stable pores, but that small Cd2+-sensitive pores may play a role.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biochemistry, Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, St. George's Hospital Medical School, SW17 ORE, London, England

    G. M. Alder, C. L. Bashford & C. A. Pasternak

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  1. G. M. Alder
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  2. C. L. Bashford
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  3. C. A. Pasternak
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Alder, G.M., Bashford, C.L. & Pasternak, C.A. Action of diphtheria toxin does not depend on the induction of large, stable pores across biological membranes. J. Membrain Biol. 113, 67–74 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01869607

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01869607

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