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ALPHA-HEMOLYSIN was used in a study to test the efflux pump and haemolysin activity of Escherichia coli of dairy origin. It was also used to test its adaptation to benzalkonium chloride and the effect of ciprofloxacin on biofilm formation.

α-Hemolysin, a pore-forming cytotoxin is an extracellular protein secreted by most strains of pathogenic?Staphylococcus aureus. It is secreted as a water-soluble monomer and is a small β-barrel protein.

α-Hemolysin is selectively hemolytic and the monomeric form binds to a membrane and specific receptors are not required for binding. Upon binding to biological membranes and/or artificial membranes, self-oligomerization occurs, resulting in ring structures (hexameric aggregates) believed to represent transmembrane pores, which are permeable to ions and small metabolites. It has a marked preference for rabbit red blood cells. α-hemolysin stimulates cellular phospholipases and induces a Ca2+?influx. It leads to membrane disruption of the endothelial barrier and leakage of cytoplasmic components and osmotic lysis of the cells. α-hemolysin is implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis.