Swelling of Mitochondria from Rabbit Liver Induced by Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Investigations of subcellular effects of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of action of this cationic protein exotoxin. The toxin was shown to induce in-vitro swelling of mitochondria from the rabbit's liver. The effects of SEB on hepatic mitochondria, monitored by changes in optical density, were characterized by a substrate-independent induction of contraction by adenosine triphosphate and Mg+ +. It is postulated that the clinical signs and symptoms of SEB intoxication may result from the interaction of the toxin with mitochondria of selected tissues. A mode of action for SEB is thus proposed which suggests that the induction of mitochondrial swelling by the toxin in vivo results in the loss of ions, substrates, and cofactors from within mitochondrial compartments and contributes to a degeneration of mitochondrial functions.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: