[Immunochemical analysis of the cytoplasmic fraction of a cholera-like vibrion].

A soluble cytoplasm and ribosomal fraction which were later subjected to gel-filtration were obtained by disintegration and subsequent differential centrifugation from a cholera-like strain. Immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis in gel showed that the ribosomal fraction contained up to 6 high-molecular antigenic components (including an O-antigen and the antigens identical to those of a cholerogen), and others; its low-molecular components (molecular weight 1.7-10-4 and lower) were inactive in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. The soluble fraction of the cytoplasm contained up to 5 antigenic components, two of which represented thermolabile antigens of protein nature, and the rest, apparently--of carbohydrate. The soluble portion of the cytoplasm displayed antigens identical to the cholerogen of a cholera vibrio; low molecular components of the soluble cytoplasm (mol. weight--1.7-10-4 and lower) possessed no antigenic activity. The data obtained pointed to the possible intracellular formation of the cholera vibrio toxin.