Alpha-Hemolysin: A Protein That Kills

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of infection in humans, secretes a toxin known as alpha-hemolysin that kills human cells by forming holes in their membranes, through which chemicals essential to survival leak out. The movie illustrates the structure of the hole, which is created when identical proteins released by the bacterium (in pink, yellow, gold, red, grey, green, and white) assemble in groups of seven in the cell's membrane (in cyan).

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http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/hemolysin/

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Staphylococcus
• aureus
• alpha-hemolysin
• protein
• cell