Potentiation and destruction of R variant coagulase by products of S variants of Staphylococcus aureus.

Factors obtained from certain S variants of Staphylococcus aureus can both increase the potency of and destroy the coagulase produced by R variants of the organism. Evidence that separate factors are responsible for potentiation and for destruction of coagulase is based on differences of pH optimum and of temperature range of the factors. Potentiation of coagulase is most marked below pH 7 and occurs a t temperatures ranging from 9" to 37'. The optimum pH value for destruction is between 7 and 8 , and it does not occur a t 9". There is evidence, though incomplete, that both factors are enzymes. In the course of both potentiation and destruction the mode of clotting by R coagulase is altered from a granular to a solid type. Some properties of the factors and their partial purification are described and their possible mode of action is discussed.