Cholera toxin:
This toxin binds to GM1 gangliosides on the outer membrane surface of the intestinal mucosa cells. The toxin activates the cell's adenylate cyclase enzyme to become continually active.
The increased adenylate cyclase results in an abnormally high amount of cyclic AMP (cAMP), which in turn causes the cells to excrete large amounts of Cl- into the intestines. Electrolytes, including Na+, and water follow the osmotic and electric gradients created by the excretion of Cl-. It is this "pumping" of water and electrolytes that cause the diarrhea and dehydration seen in the disease.
![Product Font Line Circle Illustration]()
click to enlarge
This toxin binds to GM1 gangliosides on the outer membrane surface of the intestinal mucosa cells. The toxin activates the cell's adenylate cyclase enzyme to become continually active.
The increased adenylate cyclase results in an abnormally high amount of cyclic AMP (cAMP), which in turn causes the cells to excrete large amounts of Cl- into the intestines. Electrolytes, including Na+, and water follow the osmotic and electric gradients created by the excretion of Cl-. It is this "pumping" of water and electrolytes that cause the diarrhea and dehydration seen in the disease.
click to enlarge
