Enterotoxin 1083121 210853608 2008-05-07T18:22:52Z 77.98.84.124 An '''enterotoxin''' (not to be confused with [[endotoxin]]) is a [[protein]] [[toxin]] released by a [[microorganism]] in the [[intestine]]. Enterotoxins are frequently [[cytotoxic]] and kill cells by altering the [[Semipermeable membrane|permeability]] of the [[epithelial]] cells of the intestinal wall. They are mostly [[pore forming toxins]], secreted by bacteria, that assemble to form pores in [[cell membranes]]. This causes the cells to die. The death of cells that form the barrier between the intestinal [[Lumen (anatomy)|lumen]] and the surrounding [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] causes [[interstitial fluid]], composed of [[water]] and [[electrolytes]] to leak into the intestinal tract, causing [[diarrhea]]. ==Organisms secreting enterotoxins== Examples of organisms secreting enterotoxins are: ''[[Escherichia coli O157:H7]]'', ''[[Clostridium perfringens]]'', ''[[Vibrio cholerae]]'', ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]'', ''[[NSP4(Rotavirus)|Rotavirus]]'' and ''[[Yersinia enterocolitica]]''. ==See also== * [[NSP4 (rotavirus)]] *[[Endotoxin]] ==External links== * {{MeshName|Enterotoxins}} {{med-stub}}{{molecular-cell-biology-stub}} [[Category:Toxins]] [[Category:Microbiology]] [[Category:Peripheral membrane proteins]] [[de:Enterotoxine]] [[ja:エンテロトキシン]] [[nl:Enterotoxine]] [[sk:Enterotoxín]]