Alpha-hemolysin Staphilococcus aureus (7AHL)

The model of alpha-hemolysin molecule. This protein is produced by Staphylococcus aureus (a microorganism, which causes about one hundred different human diseases).

Hemolysins may integrate into cell membranes forming pores and thus affecting the membrane transport which leads to the host cell death. Similar proteins affect different blood cells and are found in many infectious bacteria.

Alpha-hemolysin, one of the main toxins of Staphylococcus aureus, is a large protein with seven subunits. Upon binding, the monomers oligomerize to form a transmembrane channel.