BACTERIA AND CELLULAR ACTIVITIES. IV. ACTION OF TOXINS ON RESPIRATION AND HEMOLYSIS OF DOGFISH ERYTHROCYTES AND ON RESPIRATION OF MARINE EGGS,

Abstract

1. The toxins obtained from Micrococcus aureus, Clostridium tetani and Corynebacterium diphtheriae accelerate the rate of oxygen consumption of dogfish erythrocytes initially. 2. The toxins obtained from Streptococcus pyogenes markedly inhibit the rate of oxygen consumption of these cells after approximately one hour's exposure. 3. The toxins obtained from Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium septicum have little effect on the oxygen consumption of dogfish erythrocytes. 4. The time for hemolysis of dogfish erythrocytes placed in 0.95 M ethylene glycol is decreased by exposure to the toxins of Streptococcus pyogenes, Clostridium perfringens and Bacillus cereus. 5. There is a suggestion that the toxins of Cl. tetani have a similar effect, but formalized tetanal toxins also decrease hemolysis times. 6. The time for hemolysis of dogfish erythrocytes placed in 0.95 M ethylene glycol is not altered by the presence of the toxins of Clostridium septicum, Corynebacterium diphtheriae or Micrococcus aureus. 7. The toxins of Clostridium tetani, Micrococcus aureus and Corynebacterium diphtheriae increase the rate of oxygen consumption of both Arbacia and Asterias eggs. 8. The toxins of Clostridium perfringens increase the rate of oxygen consumption of Asterias eggs but have little effect on the respiration of Arbacia eggs. 9. The toxins of Streptococcus pyogenes decrease the rate of respiration of Asterias eggs but have little effect on Arbacia eggs. 10. The toxins of Bacillus cereus have little influence on the respiration of either Arbacia or Asterias eggs. 11. The toxins of Clostridium septicum inhibit the respiration of Asterias eggs but have little influence on Arbacia eggs.