Comparative Effects of Purified Staphylococcal Alpha and Delta Toxins on Mitochondrial Metabolism

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Abstract
Purified staphylococcal alpha toxin, free of delta-toxin activity, was prepared by ammonium-sulfate precipitation followed by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl- and carboxymethylcellulose and Sephadex G-100. Unlike delta toxin, alpha toxin was not inhibited by phospholipids and had no effect on mitochondria of the rat or rabbit liver. Delta toxin caused mitochondrial lysis with inhibition of respiration and phosphorylation. However, in the presence of succinate and cytochrome c, respiration was stimulated, suggesting an intact electron-transport system, except for loss of functional cytochrome c. Magnesium-dependent, mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase was stimulated by delta toxin. Neither alpha nor delta toxin had activity of phospholipase A, C, or D. The action of delta toxin on mitochondria is similar to that of the detergents Triton X-IOO and deoxycholate.

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