Provided herein are aerolysin polypeptides and/or mutant aerolysin monomers comprising modified amino acid sequences that could have improved substrate analyte, such as (poly)nucleotide and peptide, improved reading properties such as enhanced substrate analyte capture and improved substrate analyte recognition and/or discrimination. Also provided herein are aerolysin pores derived from the mutant monomers. Also provided herein are apparatuses and devices comprising modified aerolysin polypeptides. Also provided herein are methods of using modified aerolysin proteins and pores derived therefrom for use in characterizing and/or sequencing a polymeric molecule or for use as molecular sensors.