Structural studies on ε-prototoxin of clostridium perfringens type D. Localization of the site of tryptic scission necessary for activation to ε-toxin

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Abstract

The mechanism of activation of ε-prototoxin to ε-toxin has been ascertained from partial amino acid sequences of both ε-prototoxin and ε-toxin. The activation of ε-prototoxin from Clostridium perfringens type D by brief exposure to trypsin is caused by scission of a peptide bond between Lys14 - Ala15. A small peptide (14 amino acid residues) is split from the NH2-terminus of the ε-prototoxin to give the active ε-toxin.

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Present Address: Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus G.P.O. Box 5067 San Juan, Puerto Rico, 58936

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