[The effect of anions on the hemolytic activity of melittin].

Anions causing the melittin aggregation in the solution are shown to slow down the lytic process not preventing it completely. The equalization of the oncotic gradient through the erythrocytic membrane by the addition of polyethylene glycols of different molecular weight into the extracellular medium made it possible to establish the colloid-osmotic mechanism of hemolysis and to estimate the diameter of melittin pores. The diameter depends on the polypeptide concentration and makes up 20-30 A with its content of (6 divided by 12).10(-6) M.