RT Journal Article
T1 Elucidating the structure and assembly mechanism of actinoporin pores in complex membrane environments
A1 García Linares, Sara
A1 Gavilanes Franco, José Gregorio
A1 Heras Márquez, Diego
A1 Martínez Del Pozo, Álvaro
A1 Rivera De Torre, Esperanza
A1 Arias Palomo, Ernesto
A1 Arranz, Rocío
A1 Carlero, Diego
A1 Martín Benito, Jaime
A1 Masiulis, Simonas
A1 Ortega, Juan Palacios
A1 Santiago, César
AB Pore-forming proteins exemplify the transformative potential of biological molecules. Produced as soluble monomers, they assemble into multimeric membrane-inserted complexes in response to specific membrane environments. Actinoporins, a class of pore-forming proteins from sea anemones, target membranes to kill cells. Here, we report cryogenic electron microscopy structures of two actinoporins, fragaceatoxin C and sticholysin II, reconstituted in lipid membranes. The structures reveal an ordered arrangement of dozens of lipid molecules that form an integral part of the pore architecture. We also captured distinct oligomeric intermediates, arc-shaped assemblies with monomers in transitional conformations, representing key snapshots along the pore formation pathway.These data provide direct structural evidence for a stepwise mechanism in which monomers sequentially bind the membrane and undergo conformational changes that drive pore assembly and membrane disruption. Our findings reveal how these proteins reshape membranes and offer mechanistic insights into their cytolytic activity. This work broadens our understanding of pore-forming proteins, which are gaining increasing relevance in diverse biotechnological applications.
PB AAAS
YR 2025
FD 2025-09-24
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/130311
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/130311
LA eng
NO Arranz, Rocío, et al. «Elucidating the Structure and Assembly Mechanism of Actinoporin Pores in Complex Membrane Environments». Science Advances, vol. 11, n.o 39, septiembre de 2025, p. eadv0683. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adv0683.
NO Centro Nacional de Biotecnología en Madrid
NO UK National Electron Bio-­Imaging Centre
NO Severo Ochoa Program for Centers of Excellence in R&D
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
DS Docta Complutense
RD 18 mar 2026