We have investigated the response of the resistant mouse L cell to diphtheria toxin. Intact cells and cell-free systems were studied. It was determined that the cell-free system is as sensitive to toxin as those from sensitive reticulocyte, HeLa, and KB cells previously studied. Poly-L-ornithine, reported to stimulate macromolecular uptake, enhanced toxin activity under conditions which also stimulated acid phosphatase activity. Resistance, in the L cell, appears to be linked to the cell membrane and the process of macromolecular uptake, and not to any intrinsic property of either the polyribosomes or associated protein synthesizing factors. Because of the unique way in which diphtheria toxin inhibits protein synthesis, the ability of poly-L-ornthine to enhance this action provides convincing evidence that poly-L-ornithine stimulates a true absorption of macromolecules and not just increased surface adsorption.
Article|
March 01 1968
THE RESPONSE OF CULTURED MAMMALIAN CELLS TO DIPHTHERIA TOXIN : II. THE RESISTANT CELL: ENHANCEMENT OF TOXIN ACTION BY POLY-L-ORNITHINE
Joan M. Moehring,
Joan M. Moehring
From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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Thomas J. Moehring
Thomas J. Moehring
From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
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Joan M. Moehring
From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
Thomas J. Moehring
From the Department of Medical Microbiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
Received:
October 02 1967
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
Copyright © 1968 by The Rockefeller University Press
1968
J Exp Med (1968) 127 (3): 541–554.
Article history
Received:
October 02 1967
Citation
Joan M. Moehring, Thomas J. Moehring; THE RESPONSE OF CULTURED MAMMALIAN CELLS TO DIPHTHERIA TOXIN : II. THE RESISTANT CELL: ENHANCEMENT OF TOXIN ACTION BY POLY-L-ORNITHINE . J Exp Med 1 March 1968; 127 (3): 541–554. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.127.3.541
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