Effects of staphylococcal alpha toxin on ion and water transports in isolated frog skin and bladder.

Abstract

The action of staphylococcal alpha toxin (ST) on potential difference (PD) and short-circuit current (SCC) of the isolated frog skin was studied. Ringer solution bathed the corial side and 20 mM NaCl bathed the epidermal side. PD and SCC decreased to about half after the administration of ST to the corial side of the skin. Later, SCC raised considerably. The replacement of 20 mM NaCl by KCl on the epidermal side of the ST-pretreated skin did not cause any substantial decrease of PD, while in the untreated skin the same replacement caused a sharp drop of PD. No secondary increase of SCC was observed after ST administration when the Ringer solution bathing the corial side of the skin contained 1/2 S04− instead Cl−. In contrast to the normal skin, dilution from 120 to 2 mM of the NaCl solution on the epidermal side led to a PD increase in the toxin-treated skin.