PLC Proteins

Bacterial hemolysins are exotoxins that attack blood cell membranes and cause cell rupture. Constitutes an essential virulence factor in gas gangrene. Binds to eukaryotic membranes where it hydrolyzes both phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. The diacylglycerol produced can activate both the arachidonic acid pathway, leading to modulation of the inflammatory response cascade and thrombosis, and protein kinase C, leading to activation of eukaryotic phospholipases and further membrane damage. Acts on human and mouse erythrocytes, but not on rabbit or horse erythrocytes.