Researchers investigate the strong interaction of cholera toxin with a key ganglioside on the surface of intestinal cells
The image shows the X-ray crystal structure of cholera toxin showing 5-fold symmetry, together with the fluorinated ligand used in this study (F-GM1). Cholera infections caused by
Vibrio cholerae bacteria can be life-threatening and the trigger is the cholera toxin produced by the bacteria. It binds to the surface of intestinal cells - more precisely, to certain "sugar lipids" (GM1 gangliosides, GM1) on the cell surfaces. This bond is one of the strongest known interaction between a protein - the toxin - and the sugar part of GM1. It enables the cholera toxin to penetrate the intestinal cells, which causes the very rapid loss of fluid.
...TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
