Effect of purified staphylococcal alpha toxin on active sodium transport and aerobic respiration in the isolated toad bladder

Abstract

Purified staphylococcal alpha toxin was found to inhibit the active transport of sodium across the isolated toad bladder when applied to the serosal but not to mucosal surface. Heating or the addition of specific antitoxin abolished this effect. Low temperatures reduced this activity significantly. Application of vasopressin to the bladder serosa shortly after toxin resulted in only weak and transient stimulation of sodium transport; once maximal toxin activity had been established, exposure to the hormone was without effect. Transport in bladders previously stimulated by vasopressin was rapidly inhibited by alpha toxin. Concentrations that suppressed active sodium transport completely within 30-45 min produced a significant increase in oxygen consumption by minced bladder tissue within the same period; antitoxin neutralized this activity. 2,4-dinitrophenol also inhibited sodium transport and stimulated oxygen consumption by the toad bladder. The addition of 2,4 dinitrophenol to bladder tissue in which respiration was maximally stimulated by alpha toxin resulted in a further increase in respiratory rate. The addition of toxin to bladder tissue after its exposure to a concentration of 2,4 dinitrophenol known to uncouple oxidative phosphorylation produced a significant stabilization but no increment in respiratory rate. The data are consistent with the previously suggested action of staphylococcal alpha toxin on cell membranes and suggest that energy-dependent transport processes are inhibited. The stimulation of oxygen consumption may be due to an additional effect on oxidative phosphorylation.