Effect of staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin upon anion transport in the rabbit erythrocyte.

Equilibrium exchange of SO4(2-) was measured prior to and during hemolysis in rabbit erythrocytes exposed to staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin. The anion-transport protein of the rabbit erythrocyte has also been identified. Equilibrium exchange of SO4(2-) was measured by both efflux and influx of 35SO4(2-). The rate of influx of SO4(2-) in rabbit erythrocytes exposed to alpha-hemolysin was twice that of the untreated cells. The rate of SO4(2-) efflux was unchanged by alpha-hemolysin. Inhibition of anion exchange with 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) did not inhibit hemolysis, therefore, the increased influx of SO4(2-) may occur through a DIDS-insensitive pathway.