Structure of transmembrane pore induced by Bax-derived peptide: evidence for lipidic pores

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Nov 11;105(45):17379-83. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0807764105. Epub 2008 Nov 5.

Abstract

The structures of transmembrane pores formed by a large family of pore-forming proteins and peptides are unknown. These proteins, whose secondary structures are predominantly alpha-helical segments, and many peptides form pores in membranes without a crystallizable protein assembly, contrary to the family of beta-pore-forming proteins, which form crystallizable beta-barrel pores. Nevertheless, a protein-induced pore in membranes is commonly assumed to be a protein channel. Here, we show a type of peptide-induced pore that is not framed by a peptide structure. Peptide-induced pores in multiple bilayers were long-range correlated into a periodically ordered lattice and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. We found the pores induced by Bax-derived helical peptides were at least partially framed by a lipid monolayer. Evidence suggests that the formation of such lipidic pores is a major mechanism for alpha-pore-forming proteins, including apoptosis-regulator Bax.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cell Membrane Structures / metabolism*
  • Cell Membrane Structures / ultrastructure*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Peptides / metabolism*
  • Porosity
  • Protein Conformation
  • X-Ray Diffraction
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptides
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein