Explain what pore-forming toxins are. Give an example of one and why this is medically important.

Basic Clinical Laboratory Techniques 6E
6th Edition
ISBN:9781133893943
Author:ESTRIDGE
Publisher:ESTRIDGE
Chapter4: Basic Immunology And Immunohematology
Section4.2: Infectious Mononucleosis Tests
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Explain what pore-forming toxins are. Give an example of one and why this is medically
important. 

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Toxins are a metabolic product of the organism that damages the host. It can induce disease in absence of the organism that produced them. 

There are a few important points about pore-forming toxins :

  • These toxins exert into the membrane of cells and form non-regulated forms.
  • It allows water, ions, and small molecules to enter and exit into it and causes the death of the cell.
  • Streptococcus pneumonia-producing pore-forming toxin.

The mode of action involved by pore-forming toxins are :

  • Receptor recognition 
  • Activation by proteases 
  • Aggregation into the oligomeric structures
  • Insertion into the membrane to form ionic forms.

 

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