Streptolysin O functionally and structurally related to

Streptococci produce two hemolysins, streptolysin 'O' and 'S'. In its biological action, streptolysin O resembles the oxygen-labile hemolysins of Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani and Streptococcus pneumoniae. streptolysin O is so called because it is oxygen labile. It is also heat labile. It appears to be an impoant virulence factor. It is lethal on intravenous injection into animals and has specific cardiotoxic activity. It also has leucoctoxic activity Reference: Textbook of Microbiology; Anathanarayan and paniker's; 10th edition; Page no: 213