Changes induced by T-2 toxin in the erythrocyte membrane.
The interaction of the trichothecene mycotoxin T-2 with guinea-pig erythrocytes was studied. In a time- and dose-dependent manner, T-2 toxin showed a protective antihaemolytic effect in hypotonic solutions. In isotonic environments, T-2 toxin caused membrane changes resulting in an increase in cell volume and a dramatic alteration in red-cell morphology from the biconcave disc to an echinocyte. These results demonstrate that T-2 toxin, in line with other amphipaths, distributes into the outer half of the cell membrane's phospholipid bilayer. This constitutes the first direct demonstration of an initially amphipathic mechanism of action for this toxin. Therefore, it is suggested that the degree of the final toxic effect of T-2 may be influenced by the targeted cell's membrane.
D000818:Animals; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009996:Osmotic Fragility; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D013605:T-2 Toxin / Q000633:toxicity*
D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013605:T-2 Toxin