Binding of cholesterol by sulfhydryl-activated cytolysins

Infect Immun. 1980 Jan;27(1):97-101. doi: 10.1128/iai.27.1.97-101.1980.

Abstract

The binding of cholesterol by pneumolysin, alveolysin, and streptolysin O has been demonstrated. The properties of the cytolysin-cholesterol interaction parallel those of cytolysin-erythrocyte interaction in that the reaction is rapid, temperature independent, decreased at elevated pH, and shows the same specificity with respect to other related sterols. However, oxidized or p-hydroxymercuribenzoate-treated thoxin showed no decrease in cholesterol-binding activity, whereas the ability of cytolysin to bind to erythrocytes was modified by such treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cholesterol / metabolism*
  • Cytotoxins / metabolism*
  • Models, Biological
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cytotoxins
  • Sulfhydryl Compounds
  • Cholesterol