A hybrid toxin containing fragment A from diphtheria toxin linked to the B protomer of cholera toxin.

We have constructed and characterized a hybrid toxin containing the A chain of diphtheria toxin linked via a disulfide bridge to the B protomer of cholera toxin. Cholera toxin B protomer, previously derivatized with 4-5 cystaminyl groups per pentameric protomer, was reacted with reduced diphtheria toxin chain A to give the desired hybrid, containing an average of 2 molecules of diphtheria toxin chain A per cholera toxin B protomer. A concentration of 0.3 nM hybrid inhibited protein synthesis by 50% in 24 h in several cultured cell lines; thus the hybrid was about 10-fold more toxic than of a (diphtheria toxin chain A)-SS-(concanavalin A) conjugate described previously. Evidence was obtained that toxicity of the hybrid was dependent on the functional contributions of both the diphtheria toxin chain A and cholera toxin B protomer moieties.