degradation.evoke internucleosomal DNA pores created by staphylococcal alpha-toxin in Novel path to apoptosis: small transmembrane

incorporation following lectin stimulation were measured asparameters forcell viability. Internucleosomal cleavage characteristic ofprogrammedcell deathwasassessedby agarose gel electrophoresis and by quantifying low-molecular-weight, [3H]thymidine-labeled DNAfrag-ments. Nanomolar concentrations of alpha-toxin evoked protracted, irreversible ATP depletion in bothactivated andresting Tlymphocytes. Toxin-damagedcells also lost theirability to incorporate [3H]thymidineuponsubsequent stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. Thesecells carried