Phospholipase Activity of the Delta Hemolysin of Staphylococcus aureus

Summary Purified delta hemolysin from the Newman and E-delta strains of S. aureus liberates aqueous organic phosphorus from phospholipid extracts of various species of mammalian erythrocytes. Of several phospholipids investigated as substrates, phosphatidylinositol is most susceptible to degradation by the delta hemolysin. Phosphatidylserine was to a lesser extent attacked by the enzyme. In contrast with the beta hemolysin of S. aureus, delta hemolysin does not hydrolyze sphingomyelin and its activity is unaffected by EDTA or Mg2+ ions.