Pertussis toxin
Pertussis Toxin
Pertussis Toxin (pronunciation: per-TUSS-iss TOX-in), often abbreviated as PTx, is a protein-based exotoxin produced by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is a key virulence factor in the pathogenesis of Pertussis, or whooping cough.
Etymology
The term "Pertussis" is derived from the Latin pertussis, meaning "violent cough". The term "toxin" comes from the Ancient Greek toxikon, meaning "poison for arrows".
Function
Pertussis Toxin is an AB5-type exotoxin, which means it is composed of one A (active) subunit and five B (binding) subunits. The B subunits allow the toxin to bind to specific receptors on the surface of host cells, while the A subunit has enzymatic activity that disrupts normal cellular functions.
Pathogenesis
Once bound to a host cell, Pertussis Toxin is taken up by endocytosis. Inside the cell, the A subunit ADP-ribosylates the alpha subunit of certain G proteins, disrupting signal transduction pathways and leading to the characteristic symptoms of Pertussis.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pertussis toxin
- Wikipedia's article - Pertussis toxin
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