title: Membrane-damaging action of alveolysin from Bacillus alvei.
abstract: We investigated membrane damage to human diploid, embryonic lung fibroblasts caused by highly purified alveolysin by measuring leakage of cytoplasmic markers and uptake of various metabolites, and we observed a leakage pattern typical of SH-activated cytolysins. However, the mode of membrane interaction resembled the mode of membrane interaction of theta-toxin from Clostridium perfringens rather than that of streptolysin O in the following respects: the activity on fibroblast membranes was high compared with the activity on sheep erythrocytes; the toxin did not bind irreversibly to fibroblast cytoplasmic membranes; considerable membrane damage was caused at 0 degrees C; and inhibition of amino acid uptake occurred in the absence of significant structural membrane damage. These findings imply that data on membrane effects caused by streptolysin O cannot be related indiscriminately to other SH-activated cytolysins. With regard to the mode of membrane interaction, two apparently different groups of SH-activated cytolysins exist.
mesh_terms: D001407:Bacillus / Q000378:metabolism*; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; C014963:alveolysin