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. 1985 Jan;47(1):37–40. doi: 10.1128/iai.47.1.37-40.1985

Effect of calcium ions on staphylococcal alpha-toxin-induced hemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes.

S Harshman, N Sugg
PMCID: PMC261457  PMID: 3965408

Abstract

Calcium in millimolar concentrations protected rabbit erythrocytes from hemolysis caused by staphylococcal alpha-toxin. This effect was maximal at 30 mM CaCl2 and required the continued presence of calcium. The protection was not absolute and could be overcome by increased concentrations of alpha-toxin. Calcium did not block the binding of alpha-toxin to erythrocytes but inhibited the alpha-toxin-induced release of small ions from the cell as measured by 86Rb release. The transient removal of calcium was sufficient to abrogate its protective effect, suggesting that its action involves a reversible alteration in the state of the membrane. The three steps of the alpha-toxin-induced hemolytic sequence are: (i) binding to specific receptors, (ii) formation of transmembrane pores, and (iii) cell lysis. We concluded that calcium acted at step ii by impeding the lateral movement of alpha-toxin necessary to form the transmembrane hexamer pores.

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Selected References

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