| Functions |
This cardiac stimulatory and hemolytic pore-forming protein forms cations-selective hydrophilic pores of around 1 nm. Cytolytic effects include red blood cells hemolysis, platelet aggregation and lysis, cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on fibroblasts. Lethality in mammals has been ascribed to severe vasospasm of coronary vessels, cardiac arrhythmia, and inotropic effects. Pore formation proceeds by membrane binding via a surface rich in aromatic residues, followed by translocation of the N- terminal region to the membrane and, finally, across the bilayer to form a functional pore (By similarity).
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