Cholera is the leading cause of death in children in developing countries, characterized by massive diarrhea. The effects stem from an extracellular toxin that the bacterium Vibrio cholerae releases into the gut. The toxin acts on a _ that overstimulates which causes a cascade of events that leads to electrolytes leaving the cell and causing water to follow them into the lumen of the intestine, resulting in severe diarrhea.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The cholera toxin activates G proteins, which in turn overstimulate adenylate cyclase, leading to increased cAMP levels and causing the efflux of electrolytes and water into the intestinal lumen.

Cholera Is the Leading Cause of Death in Children in Developing