Interaction of T-2 toxin with murine lymphocytes

T-2 toxin is taken up by lymphocytes in 10-15 min in a saturable manner. Uptake is dependent on temperature and partially on the availability of energy. Approx. 10(5) molecules of T-2 toxin are bound per cell, having a mean affinity constant, Ka = 1.6 X 10(7) M-1. The toxin is rapidly dissociated from the cell to leave approx. 10-15% of the original loading in 1 h. It is concluded that T-2 toxin uptake and release do not follow conventional mechanisms.