THE EFFECT OF DIPHTHERIA TOXIN ON THE METABOLISM OF HELA CELLS

Abstract

The effect of diphtheria toxin on certain metabolic processes in growing HeLa cells has been described. It was found that both aerobic respiration and glycolysis are insensitive to toxin action. The incorporation of S³⁵-methionine was found to be completely inhibited by toxin prior to the appearance of any visible cell damage. It was also observed that toxin levels above 0.3 Lf per ml. had no further effect on the kinetics of inhibition of methionine uptake. The kinetics of intoxication were studied by adding diphtheria antitoxin to a partially intoxicated culture at various times and measuring the resulting rate of methionine uptake.