Pore-forming toxin

Pore-forming proteins (PFTs, also known as pore-forming toxins) are usually produced by bacteria, and include a number of protein exotoxins but may also be produced by other organisms such as lysenin, produced by earthworms. They are frequently cytotoxic (i.e., they kill cells), as they create unregulated pores in the membrane of targeted cells. Pore-forming proteins (PFTs, also known as pore-forming toxins) are usually produced by bacteria, and include a number of protein exotoxins but may also be produced by other organisms such as lysenin, produced by earthworms. They are frequently cytotoxic (i.e., they kill cells), as they create unregulated pores in the membrane of targeted cells. PFTs can be divided into two categories, depending on the alpha-helical or beta-barrel architecture of their transmembrane channel that can consist either of