Cell cycle dependent resistance to staphylococcal delta toxin-induced lysis of cultured cells

Staphylococcal delta toxin is a protein capable of rapidly disrupting cell membranes. Synchronized populations of 3T3 mouse fibroblasts in mitosis and early G₁ phases of the cell cycle exhibit resistance to delta toxin at concentrations cytolytic to interphase cells. Similar results were obtained with HeLa cells grown attached or in suspension culture. Increased resistance appears to result from structural or biochemical features other than cell rounding or detachment. Delta toxin stimulated significantly less cellular phospholipase A₂ (a potentially lytic enzyme activity) in mitotic 3T3 cells than in interphase cells.