[Cytolysins and homologous proteins produced by gram-negative bacteria. I. Hemolysis and leukotoxins of Escherichia coli, Bordetella pertussis, Pasteurella haemolytica and Actinobacillus sp].

Cytolysins produced by Gram-negative bacteria belong to the pore forming bacterial proteins. A branch of these toxins represents RTX family of proteins. The RTX (repeats in toxin) family name has been proposed based on the common presence of tandem copies of a nine-amino acid repeat (L-X-G-G-X-G-(N/D)-D-X). The paper presents the genetics, synthesis, secretion and cytolytic activity of these toxins.