Bacterial Toxins Flashcards
What are bacterial toxins and what do they do?
Poisonous substances produced within bacteria and promote infection and disease by directly damaging host tissues and by disabling the immune system
Which strains of bacteria can produce toxins and are they general or specific to the species?
Virulent strains
Specific to the species
What are the effects of DT in vivo?
Inhibits protein synthesis leading to epithelial cell damage and myocarditis
What are the effects of CT in vivo?
Activates adenylate cyclase, elevates cAMP in cells leading to changes in intestinal epithelial cells that cause loss of water and electrolytes
What are endotoxins, typically what is the Gram stain, and what effects do they have?
The part of the bacteria that is toxic to the host
Gram-negative
Generalized effect
What are exotoxins, typically what is the Gram stain, and what effects do they have?
Secreted toxins with high potency that have specific effects
Mostly Gram-positive
What is an example of an endotoxin?
Bacterial LPS lipid A
Release of lipid A in small amounts overwhelms the TLR4 pathway which induces massive inflammation
What are the 3 main types of exotoxins?
AB toxins
Pore-forming toxins
Super antigens
How do bacterial toxins (exotoxins) resemble enzymes?
Protein-based
Denaturable
Catalytic activity
Have a degree of specificity
Which routes does DT use to enter host cells?
Direct entry and RME
What is direct entry and which toxins use it?
The binding of the B subunit of the toxin forms a pore to allow entry of the A subunit
Some AB toxins
How does DT enter a host cell via RME?
The B subunit binds endogenous receptors on the host
The entire toxin is internalized into a vesicle inside the host
The vesicle is transported to the endosomes where the low pH causes the A/B toxin to dissociate
The A subunit leaves the endosomes and enters the cytoplasm
What are AB toxins and what do they do?
Two-component protein complexes secreted by a number of pathogenic bacteria that interfere with internal cell function
What is an A+B toxin?
The toxin is synthesized and secreted as two independent subunits
What is an A-B toxin?
Components are synthesized separately but associate during secretion
What is a 5B toxin?
The B subunit is composed of 5 identical B subunits, synthesized separately
What is a 5B toxin?
The B subunit is composed of 5 identical B subunits, synthesized separately
What is an A/B toxin?
Components are synthesized as a single polypeptide then cleaved into subunits
What type of AB toxins are PT and CT and how do they enter the host?
5B, RME
What type of AB toxin is DT and how does it enter the host?
A/B, RME and to a lesser extent direct entry
Which receptor that DT bind to on the host cell?
HP-EGF receptor (growth factor)