Figure 5
From: Novel bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (LAB): various structures and applications
Huge toroidal pore (HTP) model of the antimicrobial action of lacticin Q. The highly cationic lacticin Q rapidly binds to the negatively charged phospholipid bilayer membrane (i) that would result in the formation of HTPs, coupled with membrane lipid flip-flop that would cause the leakage of intracellular components, including ions, ATP, and small proteins (ii), after which, the lacticin Q molecules translocate into the membrane as the pore closes (iii).