Inhibition by zinc of hemolysis induced by bacterial and other cytolytic agents

Abstract

Zinc, cupric, and cadmium ions, in that order of effectiveness, inhibited lysis of washed rabbit erythrocytes by the toxic bacterial product aerolysin. Hemolysis induced by a variety of other lytic agents was also inhibited by Zn2+ in approximately the same concentration as that, 0.33 mM, needed to inhibit aerolysin induced hemolysis. Zinc ions did not inhibit osmotic lysis. Inhibition requires the continued presence of Zn2+ and apparently involves a readily reversible binding of Zn2+ to the cell surface, which it is postulated, is accompanied by a reversible alteration in the state of the lipid bilayer.