Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
In molecular biology, the heat-labile enterotoxin family includes Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (Elt or LT) and cholera toxin (Ctx) secreted by Vibrio cholerae. lt is so named because it is inactivated at high temperatures.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a type of Escherichia coli and one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhea in the developing world, [1] as well as the most common cause of travelers' diarrhea. [2]
Heat-stable enterotoxins (STs) are secretory peptides produced by some bacterial strains, such as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli [2] which are in general toxic to animals. These peptides keep their 3D structure and remain active at temperatures as high as 100 °C.
An enterotoxin is a protein exotoxin released by a microorganism that targets the intestines. [1] They can be chromosomally or plasmid encoded. [ 2 ] They are heat labile (> 60 °C), of low molecular weight and water-soluble.
The larger of the two proteins, LT enterotoxin, is similar to cholera toxin in structure and function. The smaller protein, ST enterotoxin causes cGMP accumulation in the target cells and a subsequent secretion of fluid and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. ETEC strains are noninvasive, and they do not leave the intestinal lumen.
In the field of molecular biology, enterotoxin type B, also known as Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), is an enterotoxin produced by the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It is a common cause of food poisoning , with severe diarrhea , nausea and intestinal cramping often starting within a few hours of ingestion. [ 1 ]
S. aureus is an enterotoxin producer. Enterotoxins are chromosomally encoded exotoxins that are produced and secreted from several bacterial organisms. It is a heat stable toxin and is resistant to digestive protease. [5] [6] It is the ingestion of the toxin that causes the inflammation and swelling of the intestine. [citation needed]
This figure also shows that the application of heat or chemicals to exotoxins can result in the deactivation of exotoxins. The deactivated exotoxins are called toxoids and they are not harmful to somatic cells. An exotoxin is a toxin secreted by bacteria. [1]