Cyt2Aa2 is a cytolytic toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. darmstadiensis. Its active form has a lethal activity against specific mosquito larvae. We characterized an unfolding pathway of Cyt2Aa2 using a guanidinium hydrochloride denaturation. The results revealed three-state transition with a detectable intermediate in a condition with 3-4M of GuHCl. The conformational free energies for native and intermediate state unfolding were 5.82+/-0.47 and 16.85+/-1.47kcal/mol, respectively. Kinetic analysis suggested that the activation energy of both transitions was around 23-25kcal/mol, with a rate-limiting step in the second transition. These results have established an energy profile of the Cyt2Aa2 toxin in various conformations involved in the unfolding/refolding pathway. Further characterization of the intermediate state by dye-binding assay, intrinsic fluorescence, and circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrated characteristics of a molten globule state. This revealed intermediate could play an active role in the structural folding and biological activity of the toxin.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2009.03.012DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

unfolding pathway
8
bacillus thuringiensis
8
cyt2aa2 toxin
8
intermediate state
8
intermediate
5
investigation unfolding
4
pathway bacillus
4
cyt2aa2
4
thuringiensis cyt2aa2
4
toxin
4

Similar Publications

Introduction HIV stigma levels are high in Greece. HIV stigma hinders testing, healthcare access, and treatment adherence, often leading to non-disclosure. The discloser navigates challenges by balancing the confidant's potential reactions, ranging from rejection and discrimination to the benefits of increased intimacy and liking.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Modulating Optogenetic YAP In Vitro and In Vivo.

Methods Mol Biol

December 2024

Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.

YAP is a central regulator of the Hippo-YAP signaling axis, an evolutionarily conserved pathway that modulates organ growth and regeneration. Dysregulation of YAP signaling leads to uncontrolled proliferation, promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and invasion in cancer metastasis. Exogenous manipulation of YAP activity at the second-to-minute timescale is an important step in studying the signaling pathway.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a refractory disease that severely affects female fertility. The PERK/eIF-2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway is one of the classical pathways involved in the unfolded protein response to endoplasmic reticulum stress by regulating protein synthesis and promoting apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the functional role and mechanism of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) in the POI animal model through the PERK/eIF-2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Revisiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Homeostasis, an Expanding Frontier Between Host Plants and Pathogens.

Plant Cell Environ

December 2024

State Key Laboratory of Plant Diversity and Specialty Crops, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as the primary site for protein biosynthesis and processing, with ER homeostasis being essential for the survival of plant cells. Numerous studies have underscored the pivotal role of the ER as a battleground for host-pathogen interactions. Pathogens secrete effectors to subvert the host ER and manipulate ER-mediated defense responses, fostering an infection-permissive environment for their proliferation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Assessing the impact of conformational perturbants on folding and aggregation pathways of a β-barrel fold.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

December 2024

Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires and Institute of Chemistry and Biological Physical Chemistry (IQUIFIB, UBA-CONICET), Junin 956, 1113, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address:

Here we explore the interplay between physical and chemical perturbants to unravel links among native folding, amorphous and ordered aggregation scenarios in IFABP (rat intestinal fatty acid binding protein). This small beta-barrel protein undergoes amyloid-like aggregation above 15 % v/v trifluoroethanol. Our aim was to address the influence of sub-aggregating TFE concentrations on the unfolding transitions of IFABP.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!