Diphtheria toxin
Diphtheria Toxin
Diphtheria Toxin (/dɪˈθɪəriə/ di-THEER-ee-ə) is a potent toxin produced by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The term is derived from the Greek words diphthera, meaning "leather hide", and toxikon, meaning "poison".
Description
Diphtheria Toxin is a single polypeptide chain of 535 amino acids consisting of two subunits linked by a disulfide bridge. The A subunit is the active part of the toxin and is responsible for inhibiting protein synthesis by transferring an ADP-ribosyl group to elongation factor 2 (EF-2), a component of the host cell's protein synthesis machinery. The B subunit is responsible for binding the toxin to the surface of the host cell.
Clinical Significance
Diphtheria Toxin is the primary virulence factor in diphtheria, a serious infectious disease that primarily affects the throat and upper airways, and produces a characteristic thick, gray coating of dead tissue. The toxin can also enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs, causing damage to the heart, kidneys, and nerves.
Related Terms
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae: The bacterium that produces Diphtheria Toxin.
- Diphtheria: The disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and its toxin.
- Toxin: A poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms.
- Protein Synthesis: The process by which cells build proteins.
- Elongation Factor 2 (EF-2): A protein that is essential for protein synthesis in the cell.
- Virulence Factor: A molecule produced by a pathogen (bacterium, virus, fungus, protozoan, etc.) that aids in its ability to cause disease.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Diphtheria toxin
- Wikipedia's article - Diphtheria toxin
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