Dissecting the Membrane Association Mechanism of Aerolysin Pores at Femtomolar Concentrations Using Water as a Probe.

Aerolysin is a bacterial toxin that forms transmembrane pores at the host plasma membrane and has a narrow internal diameter and great stability. These assets make it a highly promising nanopore for detecting biopolymers such as nucleic acids and peptides. Although much is known about aerolysin from a microbiological and structural perspective, its membrane association and pore-formation mechanism are not yet fully understood.

Liposomes and Lipid Droplets Display a Reversal of Charge-Induced Hydration Asymmetry.

The unique properties of water are critical for life. Water molecules have been reported to hydrate cations and anions asymmetrically in bulk water, being a key element in the balance of biochemical interactions. We show here that this behavior extends to charged lipid nanoscale interfaces.