Enterotoxin
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210853608
2008-05-07T18:22:52Z
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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]]
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