Effect of Oxidizing Agents and Sulfhydryl Group Reagents on Beta Toxin from Clostridium perfringens Type C

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Abstract
Purified beta toxin from Clostridium perfringens type C was inactivated by the oxidizing agents o‐iodosobenzoate (OIBA), oxidized glutathione, and ferricyanide, and by the sulfhydryl group reagents 5,5′‐dithio‐bis(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and N‐ethylmaleimide, iodoacetamide, and iodoacetic acid, causing loss of activity in various degrees depending on the concentration used. The activity of the toxin was not influenced by exposure to 1.0 mM of p‐chloromercuribenzoate. The toxin treated by OIBA or DTNB was reactivated by incubation with 2‐mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol. The data suggest that beta toxin contains thiol groups which are essential for the activity.