Panton-Valentine leukocidin


Panton-Valentine leukocidin

A pore-forming toxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus that has recently been associated with necrotising pneumonia. In vitro, PVL induces polymorphonuclear cell death by necrosis or by apoptosis, depending on the PVL concentration. PVL-induced apoptosis was associated with a rapid disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis and activation of caspase-9 and -3, suggesting that PVL-induced apoptosis is preferentially mediated by mitochondria.

Pan·ton-Val·en·tine leu·ko·ci·din

(pan'tŏn-val'ĕn-tīn lū'kŏ-sī'din) A staphylococcal cytolytic toxin that can act on polymorphonuclear leukocytes.