Involvement of N-glycans in binding of Photorhabdus luminescens Tc toxin.

Photorhabdus luminescens Tc toxins are large tripartite ABC-type toxin complexes, composed of TcA, TcB and TcC proteins. Tc toxins are widespread and have shown a tropism for a variety of targets including insect, mammalian and human cells. However, their receptors and the specific mechanisms of uptake into target cells remain unknown.

Engineering toxin complex (PTC) into a recombinant injection nanomachine.

Engineering delivery systems for proteins and peptides into mammalian cells is an ongoing challenge for cell biological studies as well as for therapeutic approaches. toxin complex (PTC) is a heterotrimeric protein complex able to deliver diverse protein toxins into mammalian cells. We engineered the syringe-like nanomachine for delivery of protein toxins from different species.

Photorhabdus luminescens Tc toxin is inhibited by the protease inhibitor MG132 and activated by protease cleavage resulting in increased binding to target cells.

Photorhabdus luminescens Tc toxins consist of the cell-binding component TcA, the linker component TcB, and the enzyme component TcC. TccC3, a specific isoform of TcC, ADP-ribosylates actin and causes redistribution of the actin cytoskeleton. TccC5, another isoform of TcC, ADP-ribosylates and activates Rho proteins.