Cholera toxin

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Revision as of 20:58, 23 November 2014


Cholera Toxin (CT) is an enzyme secreted by the cholera causing bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It ribosylates the alpha subunit of a G-protein associated with an intestinal epithelial cell, preventing the hydrolysis of GTP bound to the same G-protein. This locks the G-protein in an active state, leading to the indefinite stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, causing a rise in cAMP concentration. This then causes water and Cl- to leave the cell and enter the intestinal lumen, leading to the severe diarrhoea and dehydration associated with cholera[1]. 

Structure of the Toxin 


  1. Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th edition), Alberts et al., pg 906.

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