The biochemistry of the gas gangrene toxins

Abstract

The a-toxin of C. welchii was purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation followed by precipitation with nucleic acid. The product was not more than 50% pure. The a-toxin combined with antitoxin to form complexes in ratios varying from T2A3 to T6A5 (where A and A are Lf units of toxin and antitoxin). These complexes reacted slowly with toxin or antitoxin. With two batches of toxin, complexes of TA2 and T2A have been detected. Results obtained suggest that the formation of insoluble complex in the equivalence zone may not always be quantitative and that impurities are adsorbed on the a-toxin-antitoxin floccules.