A cytolytic δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis forms cation-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers

Barbara H. Knowles; Michael R. Blatt; Mark Tester; Jane M. Horsnell; Joe Carroll; Gianfranco Menestrina; David J. Ellar

doi:10.1016/0014-5793(89)80540-X

A cytolytic δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis forms cation-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers

Barbara H. Knowles, Michael R. Blatt, Mark Tester, Jane M. Horsnell, Joe Carroll, Gianfranco Menestrina, David J. Ellar^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

113 Scopus citations

Abstract

In order to determine the mechanism of action of the 27 kDa mosquitocidal δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis we have studied its effects on the conductance of planar lipid bilayers. The toxin formed cation-selective channels in the bilayers, permeable to K⁺ and Na⁺ but not to N-methylglucamine or Cl^-, showing very fast, cooperative opening and closing. Channel opening was greatly reduced in the presence of divalent cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and the effect was reversed when these ions were removed. These results are consistent with our proposal that B. thuringiensis toxins act by a mechanism of colloid-osmotic lysis.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	259-262
Number of pages	4
Journal	FEBS Letters
Volume	244
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-5793(89)80540-X
State	Published - Feb 27 1989
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

(Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis)
Endotoxin, δ-
Ion channel
Planar lipid bilayer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Biophysics
Structural Biology
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Genetics
Cell Biology

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10.1016/0014-5793(89)80540-X

Cite this

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title = "A cytolytic δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis forms cation-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers",

abstract = "In order to determine the mechanism of action of the 27 kDa mosquitocidal δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis we have studied its effects on the conductance of planar lipid bilayers. The toxin formed cation-selective channels in the bilayers, permeable to K+ and Na+ but not to N-methylglucamine or Cl-, showing very fast, cooperative opening and closing. Channel opening was greatly reduced in the presence of divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) and the effect was reversed when these ions were removed. These results are consistent with our proposal that B. thuringiensis toxins act by a mechanism of colloid-osmotic lysis.",

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author = "Knowles, {Barbara H.} and Blatt, {Michael R.} and Mark Tester and Horsnell, {Jane M.} and Joe Carroll and Gianfranco Menestrina and Ellar, {David J.}",

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T1 - A cytolytic δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis forms cation-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers

AU - Knowles, Barbara H.

AU - Blatt, Michael R.

AU - Tester, Mark

AU - Horsnell, Jane M.

AU - Carroll, Joe

AU - Menestrina, Gianfranco

AU - Ellar, David J.

PY - 1989/2/27

Y1 - 1989/2/27

N2 - In order to determine the mechanism of action of the 27 kDa mosquitocidal δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis we have studied its effects on the conductance of planar lipid bilayers. The toxin formed cation-selective channels in the bilayers, permeable to K+ and Na+ but not to N-methylglucamine or Cl-, showing very fast, cooperative opening and closing. Channel opening was greatly reduced in the presence of divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) and the effect was reversed when these ions were removed. These results are consistent with our proposal that B. thuringiensis toxins act by a mechanism of colloid-osmotic lysis.

AB - In order to determine the mechanism of action of the 27 kDa mosquitocidal δ-endotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis we have studied its effects on the conductance of planar lipid bilayers. The toxin formed cation-selective channels in the bilayers, permeable to K+ and Na+ but not to N-methylglucamine or Cl-, showing very fast, cooperative opening and closing. Channel opening was greatly reduced in the presence of divalent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+) and the effect was reversed when these ions were removed. These results are consistent with our proposal that B. thuringiensis toxins act by a mechanism of colloid-osmotic lysis.

KW - (Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis)

KW - Endotoxin, δ-

KW - Ion channel

KW - Planar lipid bilayer

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U2 - 10.1016/0014-5793(89)80540-X

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AN - SCOPUS:0024595787

SN - 0014-5793

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JF - FEBS Letters

IS - 2

ER -

A cytolytic δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis forms cation-selective channels in planar lipid bilayers

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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