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Cholera Toxin: Genetic Analysis, Regulation, and Role in Pathogenesis

  • Chapter
Genetic Approaches to Microbial Pathogenicity

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 118))

Abstract

One of the most well studied and earliest recognized mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis is the production of potent exotoxins. Protein toxins are clearly involved in the pathogenesis of a wide variety of bacterial diseases affecting mankind. These include cholera, diphtheria, pertussis, anthrax, dysentery, tetanus, gas gangrene, and opportunistic infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Clostridium difficile. Even Escherichia coli does on occasion possess the necessary genetic information for the production of several protein toxins which can enhance its pathogenicity. Yet, as of the date of this review, a detailed understanding of the molecular events involved in the genetic regulation of any one of these bacterial toxins has not been achieved. Moreover, the specific advantage or benefit imparted to the microbe by the production of these often lethal proteins has never been clearly elucidated.

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  1. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    J. J. Mekalanos

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  1. J. J. Mekalanos
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  1. Institut für genetik und Mikrobiologie, Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 11, D-8700, Würzburg, Germany

    W. Goebel

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Mekalanos, J.J. (1985). Cholera Toxin: Genetic Analysis, Regulation, and Role in Pathogenesis. In: Goebel, W. (eds) Genetic Approaches to Microbial Pathogenicity. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 118. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-70586-1_6

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