title: Similarities between complement-mediated and streptolysin S-mediated hemolysis.
abstract: The oxygen-stable hemolysin streptolysin S (SLS) of Streptococcus pyogenes is encoded in part by the pel/sagA gene product. Antibodies to a synthetic peptide from the C terminus of the Pel/SagA open reading frame inhibited hemolysis mediated by both culture supernatants from multiple M serotypes of S. pyogenes isolates or a commercially available SLS preparation. Analysis of the SLS-mediated hemolytic reaction demonstrated that it was temperature- and concentration-dependent. Like complement-mediated hemolysis it conforms to the prediction of a one-hit mechanism of hemolysis. A number of intermediates in the SLS-mediated hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes could be distinguished. SLS could bind to erythrocytes below 17 degrees C; however, lysis could only occur at temperatures >23 degrees C. Following binding of SLS and washing, a papain-sensitive intermediate could be distinguished prior to insertion of the SLS complex into the erythrocyte membrane, which resulted in formation of a transmembrane pore and led to irreversible osmotic lysis of the cell. These intermediates were similar to those described previously during complement-mediated hemolysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio 43614-5806, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Sledjeski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Podbielski
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kreikemeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012756:Sheep; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013301:Streptolysins; C026050:streptolysin S; D003165:Complement System Proteins