TOXICITY ENHANCEMENT OF CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPE A AND B CULTURE FILTRATES BY PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES

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Abstract
The effect of solutions of crystalline trypsin and pepsin on the toxicity of Clostridium botulinum culture filtrates was studied. Young culture filtrates (8 and 12 hr.) increased in toxicity significantly while the filtrates of old cultures (96 hr.) did not. Since type A and B strains of this organism usually possess a full complement of proteolytic enzymes it is likely that the toxins are synthesized initially as molecules of comparatively low biological activity (protoxins). These then are gradually converted to their toxic configurations through the activity of the normal proteolytic enzymes produced during growth of the organisms.

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