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Dangerous signals from E. coli toxin

α-hemolysin is a pore-forming cytolysin involved in the virulence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Recent studies have shown that at sublytic concentrations, this toxin can also induce calcium oscillations that affect gene expression, the inflammatory response and other cellular activities.

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Figure 1: Linear model of E. coli α-hemolysin (HlyA).

Bob Crimi

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Ludwig, A., Goebel, W. Dangerous signals from E. coli toxin. Nat Med 6, 741–742 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/77456

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