The plant cytolytic protein enterolobin assumes a dimeric structure in solution

FEBS Lett. 2003 Aug 14;549(1-3):47-51. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00763-4.

Abstract

Enterolobin is a plant cytolytic protein similar to the bacterial cytolysin aerolysin. Biochemical and biophysical techniques were used to verify if enterolobin, like aerolysin, adopts a dimeric structure in solution. SDS-PAGE showed bands corresponding to enterolobin monomer, dimer and oligomers, whilst gel filtration chromatography and electrospray mass spectrometry revealed preferred association of enterolobin as a dimer. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of enterolobin showed images of a dimer assembly at a concentration as low as 10 microg/ml, similarly to aerolysin. The enterolobin in silico docked structure is coherent with AFM enterolobin dimer shapes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Cytotoxins / chemistry*
  • Dimerization
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Models, Molecular
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Solutions
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Cytotoxins
  • Solutions