On the cellular stress response to Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin [Elektronische Ressource] / Gunnaporn Veerachato

ON THE CELLULAR STRESS RESPONSE TO STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ALPHA - TOXIN D i s s e r t a t i o n zur Erlangung des Grades "Doktor der Naturwissenschaften" am Fachbereich Biologie der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz Gunnaporn Veerachato geb. in Bangkok, Thailand Mainz, 2006 Dekan: .......................................................... 1. Berichterstatter:......................................... 2. Bericht...... Tag der mündlichen Prüfung:........................ ON THE CELLULAR STRESS RESPONSE TO STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS ALPHA - TOXIN A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.) In the Department of Biology Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz Mainz By Gunnaporn Veerachato Winter, 2006 i ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus α-hemolysin was the first bacterial toxin recognized to form pores in the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. It is secreted as a water-soluble monomer that upon contact with target membranes forms an amphiphatic heptameric beta-barrel which perforates the bilayer.