Studies on the terminal stages of immune hemolysis. III. Distinction between the insertion of C9 and the formation of a transmembrane channel.

The intermediate product EAC1-8 released cytoplasmic components as a result of at least two sequential reactions after its interaction with C9. Binding of C9 to EAC1-8 occurred in a few minutes even at 0 degrees C. Trypsinization of EAC1-9 prepared and held at low temperature resulted in nullification of the potential hemolysis of these cells. A brief incubation at 30 or 37 degrees resulted in the formation of an intermediate whose hemolytic potential could not be nullified by trypsin. The failure of trypsin to nullify hemolysis was attributed to the insertion of C9 into the cell membrane. Studies on the effec of EDTA or low temperature suggested that the reported temperature-dependent step in E* formation described by Frank et al. was the insertion of C9. The results of the studies with 86Rb-labeled EAC1-8 indicated that a transmembrane channel was not formed until after the C9 had been inserted and a further reaction or reactions had occurred.