目 Mechanism of Action曹 Toxins that lyse cells General aspects Large class kill host cells by destroying their membranes, act as lipases Example of lipase type: Clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene) lecithinase Lyses cells indiscriminately because phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) is ubiquitous in mammalian membranes Also hemolysins are of this type; lyse both red blood cells and white blood cells BIOL 533 18 Lecture 9BIOL 533 18 Lecture 9 Mechanism of Action • Toxins that lyse cells – General aspects • Large class kill host cells by destroying their membranes; act as lipases • Example of lipase type: Clostridium perfringens (gas gangrene) lecithinase – Lyses cells indiscriminately because phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) is ubiquitous in mammalian membranes – Also hemolysins are of this type; lyse both red blood cells and white blood cells