Protein K (porin)

Protein K is a porin expressed in some pathogenic strains of E. coli bacteria. It has a molecular weight of about 40 kDa and is localized to the outer membrane, through which it allows both inorganic and organic ions to pass.

This article is about the bacterial porin. For the nucleic-acid binding protein in eukaryotes, see Protein K (gene expression).

The strains in which protein K has been identified are encapsulated, or surrounded by a poly-sialic acid capsule that renders them more resistant to phagocytosis by cells in the immune system.

References
  • Whitfield C, Hancock RE, Costerson JW. (1983). Outer membrane protein K of Escherichia coli: purification and pore-forming properties in lipid bilayer membranes. J Bacteriol 156(2): 873-879
  • Sutcliffe J, Blumenthal R, Walter A, Foulds J. (1983). Escherichia coli outer membrane protein K is a porin. J Bacteriol 156(2): 867-872
  • Bliss JM, Solver RP. (1996). Coating the surface: a model for expression of capsular polysialic acid in Escherichia coli K1. Mol Microbiol 21:221.


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