The mechanism of the effect of X-rays on bacterial toxins

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Abstract
Tetanus toxin and staphylococcus hemolysin were destroyed by X-rays. Purification of tetanus toxin greatly increased its sensitivity to X-rays. In both cases the antigenicity was destroyed simultaneously with the toxicity. Certain proteins, their partial and total hydrolysis products, reducing amino-acids, gluta-thione, thioglycollic and ascorbic acids were found to be effective as protective agents, whereas oxidizing substances were ineffective. All the exptl. observations support the theory that the mechanism of the effect of X-rays on tetanus toxin and staphylococcus hemolysin is indirect, the radiation causing the formation of active oxidizing radicals in the water, which in turn destroy the toxin by oxidation.