α-Hemolysin (Staphylococcus aureus)

α-Hemolysin (Staphylococcus aureus) is one of the most characteristic virulence factors secreted by Staphylococcus aureus, a polypeptide capable of destroying the host cell plasma membrane. After α-Hemolysin binds to the cell surface, its monomers assemble into a homoheptamer to form a front pore, which then transforms into a mature transmembrane pore water channel, allowing K+ and Ca2+ ion transport, leading to necrotic death of target cells.