Factors Modifying the Reaction of Alpha Staphylolysin to Heat *

The generally accepted view that alpha staphylolysin is thermolabile has recently been questioned by Smith.2" He further demonstrated that some samples of toxin were rendered inactive by heating at 60° C. for 30 minutes, yet retained considerable lytic activity when heated for the same period at 80°. The thermostability of staphylolysin during certain stages of its evolution in shake cultures, as well as the phenomenon of greater stability at higher than at lower temperatures, have been fully confirmed. The present report is concerned with an attempt to elucidate further the mechanisms underlying this unusual behavior toward heat.