The complete amino acid sequence of diphtheria toxin fragment B. Correlation with its lipid-binding properties.

Abstract The complete amino acid sequence of fragment B from diphtheria toxin has been determined. The polypeptide chain was split with cyanogen bromide, o -iodosobenzoic acid, clostripain and trypsin; all amino acid sequence analyses were made by automated Edman degradation. Fragment B, which corresponds to the carboxy terminus of the toxin molecule, contains 342 amino acids and has an M r of 37 240. The proposed amino acid sequence fully confirms the structure recently deduced from the nucleotide sequence of the structural gene. The complete sequence is analyzed in relationship with the role of fragment B in the transfer of diphtheria toxin fragment A from the extracellular medium into the cell cytoplasm.