ISSN 0006-2979, Biochemistry (Moscow), 2008, Vol. 73, No. 13, pp. 1473-1492. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2008. Original Russian Text © Zh. I. Andreeva-Kovalevskaya, A. S. Solonin, E. V. Sineva, V. I. Ternovsky, 2008, published in Uspekhi Biologicheskoi Khimii, 2008, Vol. 48, pp. 267-318. REVIEW Pore-Forming Proteins and Adaptation of Living Organisms to Environmental Conditions Zh. I. Andreeva-Kovalevskaya1, A. S. Solonin1*, E. V. Sineva1, and V. I. Ternovsky2* 1Skryabin Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; E-mail:
[email protected] 2Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia; E-mail:
[email protected] Received July 16, 2008 Revision received August 4, 2008 Abstract—Pore-forming proteins are powerful “tools” for adaptation of living organisms to environmental conditions. A wide range of these proteins isolated from various sources, from viruses to mammals, has been used for the analysis of their role in the processes of intra- and inter-species competition, defense, attack, and signaling. Here we review a large number of pore-forming proteins from the perspective of their functions, structures, and mechanisms of membrane penetration. Various mechanisms of cell damage, executed by these proteins in the course of formation of a pore and after its passing to conducting state, have been considered: endo- and exocytosis, lysis, necrosis, apoptosis, etc. The role of pore-forming pro- teins in evolution is discussed. The relevance of practical application of pore formers has been shown, including application in nanotechnological constructions. DOI: 10.1134/S0006297908130087 Key words: pore-forming proteins, adaptation, pore structure, apoptosis, nanotechnology The cell membrane is the primary barrier in contacts branes more permeable for ions by shifting osmotic equi- of a living organism with the environment or other librium of the cell, thereby causing its swelling followed species.