Essential binding of LukF of staphylococcal gamma-hemolysin followed by the binding of H gamma II for the hemolysis of human erythrocytes.

Staphylococcal gamma-hemolysin consists of two protein components, LukF and H gamma II. This report clarifies the order of binding of the two components to human erythrocytes for the hemolytic activity of the toxin. The initial binding of LukF to the human erythrocytes is essential for the subsequent binding of H gamma II to the same cells, with the formation of a heat-undissociable protein of about 100 kDa containing LukF and H gamma II.