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Published on: October 27, 2011
[The effect of staphylococcal alpha-toxin on DNA replication in human cells]
Abstract:
The influence of Staphylococcus alpha-toxin has been investigated on the duration of S-phase of lymphocyte mitotic cycle and on DNA replication in human fibroblasts in vitro. The duration of the S-phase of lymphocytes was measured by counting labeled metaphases and by making replication curves. Alpha-toxin in a dose of 3 micrograms/ml enhances the onset of S-phase, which is inhibited at a dose of 33 micrograms/ml of alpha-toxin. The action of alpha-toxin resulted in a decreased rate of replication fork and in a progressive activation of replicon groups. This effect was most prominent at 33 micrograms/ml of alpha-toxin. The data obtained allow to suggest that immunodeficiency of the second order, so characteristic of the staphylococcal sepsis, may be due, in many respects, to suppression of DNA replication.
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