Cytolysin

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Cytolysin refers to the substance or antibody elaborated by microorganisms, plants or animals that is specifically toxic to individual cells [1], in many cases causing their dissolution through lysis. Cytolysins that have a specific action for certain cells are named accordingly [2]. For instance, the cytolysins responsible for the destruction of red blood cells, thereby liberating hemoglobins, are named hemolysins, and so on [3]. Cytolysins may be involved in immunity as well as in venoms.

Hemolysin is also used by certain bacteria, such as Lysteria Monocytogenes, to disrupt the phagosome membrane of macrophages and escape into the cytoplasm of the cell.

External links

UMich Orientation of Proteins in Membranes families/superfamily-103 - Orientations of anemone pore-forming cytolysins in membrane (initially bound state)

v • d • e Immune system / Immunology
Systems	Adaptive immune system vs. Innate immune system • Humoral immune system vs. Cellular immune system • Complement system (Anaphylatoxins) • Intrinsic immune system
Antibodies and antigens	Antibody (Monoclonal antibodies, Polyclonal antibodies, Autoantibody) • Allotype • Isotype • Idiotype • Antigen (Superantigen)
Immune cells	White blood cells (T cell, B cell, NK cell, Mast cell, Basophil, Eosinophil) • Phagocyte (Neutrophil, Macrophage, Dendritic cell) • Antigen-presenting cell • Reticuloendothelial system
Immunity vs. tolerance	Immunity • Autoimmunity • Allergy • Tolerance (Central) • Immunodeficiency
Immunogenetics	Somatic hypermutation • V(D)J recombination • Immunoglobulin class switching • MHC / HLA
Substances	Cytokines • Opsonin • Cytolysin
Other	Inflammation • Epitope (Hapten) • Cross-reactivity