Amphibian pore-forming protein βγ-CAT drives extracellular nutrient scavenging under cell nutrient deficiency.

Nutrient acquisition is essential for animal cells. βγ-CAT is a pore-forming protein (PFP) and trefoil factor complex assembled under tight regulation identified in toad . Here, we reported that cells secreted βγ-CAT under glucose, glutamine, and pyruvate deficiency to scavenge extracellular proteins for their nutrient supply and survival.