Cabiaux V, Brasseur R, Mindell J, Ruysschaert J M
Laboratoire des Macromolécules aux Interfaces, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
FEMS Microbiol Immunol. 1992 Sep;5(1-3):113-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1992.tb05893.x.
Diphtheria toxin (DT) forms transmembrane, voltage-dependent channels in a planar lipid bilayer. Channels with similar characteristics were obtained with CB1, a cyanogen bromide peptide of diphtheria toxin B fragment (DTB) (res 340-459). Tryptophan 398 is in interaction with the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer. Using the Eisenberg method in association with the Shiffer-Edmunson wheel representation, we have identified two amphipathic alpha-helices within CB1 (res 346-364 and 389-406) that could be involved in the interaction with lipids. Bearing this information in mind, we are providing a model for the structure of the CB1 channel.