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Large Clostridial Cytotoxins as Tools in Cell Biology

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Clostridium difficile

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 250))

Abstract

Clostridium difficile toxin A and B, the lethal and haemorrhagic toxin from Clostridium sordellii and the α-toxin from Clostridium novyi are encompassed in the family of large clostridial cytotoxins (LCC) (Von Eichel-Streiber et al. 1996; Boquet: et al. 1998). This designation came from their molecular mass of about 300kDa and their obvious cytotoxic activity to induce disaggregation of the actin cytoskeleton. Despite their comparable toxic activities towards cultured cell lines, the toxins are produced by strains which are involved in distinct disease entities (Hatheway 1990). The best characterised are toxins A and B from C. difficile, which are of major clinical importance causing antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis (Kelly et al. 1994; Kelly and LaMont 1998).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder Strasse 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    I. Just

  2. INSERM U 452, Faculté de Médecine, 28 Avenue de Valombrose, 06107, Nice, France

    P. Boquet

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  1. I. Just
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  2. P. Boquet
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 5, 79104, Freiburg i. Br., Germany

    Klaus Aktories

  2. Virginia Tech, Fralin Biotechnology Center, West Campus Drive, MC 0346, 24061, Blacksburg, VA, USA

    Tracy D. Wilkins (Director of Biotechnology) (Director of Biotechnology)

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© 2000 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Just, I., Boquet, P. (2000). Large Clostridial Cytotoxins as Tools in Cell Biology. In: Aktories, K., Wilkins, T.D. (eds) Clostridium difficile. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 250. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06272-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06272-2_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-08668-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-06272-2

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