Characteristics of streptolysin S hemolysis

Abstract

The characteristics of hemolysis produced by streptolysin S (SLS) were investigated in rabbit erythrocytes. Treatment of erythrocytes with SLS at various temperatures prior to incubation at 37 C revealed an initial temperature dependent interaction between toxin and the cells. No subsequent hemolysis occurred when erythrocytes were exposed to SLS at 0 to 10 C; exposure to toxin at temperatures above 10 C gradually increased the amount of hemolysis that occurred at 37 C. Very little binding of toxin to erythrocytes or their ghosts, as detected by a decrease of hemolytic activity from toxin preparations, could be demonstrated at any temperature. The release of hemoglobin after the temperature dependent process occurs at virtually the same rate at 0, 22, or 37 C. The loss of intracellular rubidium 86 (Rb) and hemoglobin from SLS treated erythrocytes was studied. Rb+ release significantly preceded the escape of hemoglobin, suggesting that colloid osmotic processes play a role in SLS hemolysis.