ANTI-ENZYME IMMUNITY 329 



On the basis of their study, Herbert and Todd stated that the sim- 

 plest explanation is that streptolysin O is an enzyme which attacks 

 some constituent of the red cell membrane. Its protein nature, its 

 activation by -SH compounds and many of its properties all suggest 

 this. So far, however, no enzymic function has been found for it. This 

 particular statement by the authors ignores the fact that the red cell 

 is the substrate for their hemolysin. (It is not necessary that the sub- 

 strate be a small crystalline or a large colloidal molecule, such as pro- 

 teins or starch.) They further stated that the exceedingly small doses 

 in which all bacterial toxins work suggest that their action must be 

 catalytic. 



For results of experiments in animals on the lethal effects of the 

 oxygenlabile hemolysin see Bernheimer and Cantoni (1947), and for 

 a comparison with saponin, Cantoni and Bernheimer (1947). 



I. ANTIBODY AGAINST NUCLEASES, UREASE AND 

 PENICILLINASE 



1. Antibody Against Ribonucleases 



a. Liberation of Adenyl Compounds from Perfused Organs 

 Treated with Cobra Venom. The power of snake venom to hydrolyze 

 nucleic acid appears to be responsible for the following facts. Kellaway 

 and Trethewie (1940a, 1940b) found that tissue injury by cobra 

 venom in isolated perfused tissues causes the liberation not only of 

 protein, pigments, histamine and the formation of a slow-reacting 

 substance and lysolecithin, but also the liberation of adenyl com- 

 pounds together with enzymes capable of inactivating them. The 

 primary effect of adenylic acid on the heart of the rabbit causing a 

 sinus bradycardia was stated to be the central feature of the action of 

 cobra venom on the heart of the intact rabbit when venom was in- 

 jected intravenously. The action of the venom on the heart of the dog 

 was likewise found to accord with those produced by the injection 

 of adenylic acid. 



The greater part of the cardio-depressant activity in the perfusate 

 from the perfused liver was found in that collected during the first 

 three minutes after the injection of cobra venom. The proportion of 

 adenyl compounds estimated in the perfusate increased when this 



