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Schematic representation of the proposed binding mechanism of the heterotetrameric PirAvp/PirBvp toxin with its receptor. The PirAvp/PirBvp heterotetramer first uses PirAvp to recognize and bind with a receptor on the host cell membrane (Step 1), after which the newly-exposed N-terminus region of PirBvp (orange) is pulled toward the cell membrane (Step 2) where it inserts into the membrane using its α-helix and initiates the process of pore formation.
