Structural interactions of a voltage sensor toxin with lipid membranes
Abstract
Tarantula venom contains protein toxins that interact with diverse families of ion channels and alter their activity. A number of tarantula toxins are known to interact with membranes and are thought to bind to ion channel proteins within the lipid bilayer. In the present study, we find that tarantula toxins influence the structure and dynamics of the lipid bilayer, and that the toxin orients itself within membranes to facilitate formation of the toxin-channel complexes. Our results have implications for the mechanisms of toxin action on ion channels, and more generally for protein-protein interactions within membranes.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- December 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1415324111
- Bibcode:
- 2014PNAS..111E5463M