@article{mbs:/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-7-2-189, author = "Rennie, R. P. and Freer, J. H. and Arbuthnott, J. P.", title = "The Kinetics of Erythrocyte Lysis by Escherichia Coli Haemolysin", journal= "Journal of Medical Microbiology", year = "1974", volume = "7", number = "2", pages = "189-195", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/00222615-7-2-189", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-7-2-189", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1473-5644", type = "Journal Article", abstract = "SUMMARY The interaction of Escherichia coli α-haemolysin with sheep erythrocytes was characterised in all experiments by a lag phase, and by a period of lysis that was linear between 20 and 80% haemolysis. The lag phase was inversely proportional to the logarithm of haemolysin concentration. Maximum rates of haemolysis were observed at 43°C and pH 8.8 to 9.0. The optimal concentration of CaCl2 for haemolysis was between 1 mm and 10 mm. Evidence is presented that the first step in the haemolytic reaction is activation of α-haemolysin by calcium ions. This causes an alteration in the structural appearance of purified haemolysin molecules. It was also shown that EDTA inhibited haemolysis only when added to α-haemolysin before its activation by calcium ions. This finding suggests that, during activation, calcium ions are firmly bound to α-haemolysin.", }