Biological characteristics of an enterotoxin produced by Bacillus cereus. 1975

W M Spira, and J M Goepfert

An enterotoxin synthesized during exponential growth by Bacillus cereus produces fluid accumulation in rabbit ileal loops, alters vascular permeability in the skin of rabbits, and kills mice when injected intravenously. All activities are eluted simultaneously from a Sephadex G-75 column and are distinct from the hemolysin and egg yolk turbidity factor of B. cereus. The enterotoxin is a true exotoxin. It interacts with intestinal receptor sites in a highly transient manner in the ileal loop system. Rabbit immune serum produced against the culture fluids from one strain of B. cereus neutralized the three biological activities in all other strains tested except strain B-6-ac for which none of the activities were neutralized. Enterotoxin proved to be unstable under a wide variety of conditions; ionic strength was especially critical. Enterotoxin was most stable in a pH range of 5.0 to 10.0, but lost activity rapidly outside this range. Alkylation provided some protection of enterotoxin activity in crude preparations but failed to protect activity during purification procedures. It did not appear to affect critically the enterotoxin molecule itself, since elution profiles on Sephadex G-75 chromatography were unchanged after alkylation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007082 Ileum The distal and narrowest portion of the SMALL INTESTINE, between the JEJUNUM and the ILEOCECAL VALVE of the LARGE INTESTINE.
D011817 Rabbits A burrowing plant-eating mammal with hind limbs that are longer than its fore limbs. It belongs to the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, and in contrast to hares, possesses 22 instead of 24 pairs of chromosomes. Belgian Hare,New Zealand Rabbit,New Zealand Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, Domestic,Chinchilla Rabbits,NZW Rabbits,New Zealand White Rabbits,Oryctolagus cuniculus,Chinchilla Rabbit,Domestic Rabbit,Domestic Rabbits,Hare, Belgian,NZW Rabbit,Rabbit, Chinchilla,Rabbit, NZW,Rabbit, New Zealand,Rabbits, Chinchilla,Rabbits, Domestic,Rabbits, NZW,Rabbits, New Zealand,Zealand Rabbit, New,Zealand Rabbits, New,cuniculus, Oryctolagus
D002199 Capillary Permeability The property of blood capillary ENDOTHELIUM that allows for the selective exchange of substances between the blood and surrounding tissues and through membranous barriers such as the BLOOD-AIR BARRIER; BLOOD-AQUEOUS BARRIER; BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER; BLOOD-NERVE BARRIER; BLOOD-RETINAL BARRIER; and BLOOD-TESTIS BARRIER. Small lipid-soluble molecules such as carbon dioxide and oxygen move freely by diffusion. Water and water-soluble molecules cannot pass through the endothelial walls and are dependent on microscopic pores. These pores show narrow areas (TIGHT JUNCTIONS) which may limit large molecule movement. Microvascular Permeability,Permeability, Capillary,Permeability, Microvascular,Vascular Permeability,Capillary Permeabilities,Microvascular Permeabilities,Permeabilities, Capillary,Permeabilities, Microvascular,Permeabilities, Vascular,Permeability, Vascular,Vascular Permeabilities
D004768 Enterotoxins Substances that are toxic to the intestinal tract causing vomiting, diarrhea, etc.; most common enterotoxins are produced by bacteria. Staphylococcal Enterotoxin,Enterotoxin,Staphylococcal Enterotoxins,Enterotoxin, Staphylococcal,Enterotoxins, Staphylococcal
D005517 Foodborne Diseases Acute illnesses, usually affecting the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, brought on by consuming contaminated food or beverages. Most of these diseases are infectious, caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can be foodborne. Sometimes the diseases are caused by harmful toxins from the microbes or other chemicals present in the food. Especially in the latter case, the condition is often called food poisoning. Food Poisoning,Food-borne Disease,Food-borne Illness,Foodborne Disease,Foodborne Illness,Food-borne Diseases,Food-borne Illnesses,Foodborne Illnesses,Poisoning, Food,Disease, Food-borne,Disease, Foodborne,Food Poisonings,Food borne Disease,Food borne Diseases,Food borne Illness,Food borne Illnesses,Illness, Food-borne,Illness, Foodborne,Illnesses, Foodborne
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006863 Hydrogen-Ion Concentration The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D000478 Alkylation The covalent bonding of an alkyl group to an organic compound. It can occur by a simple addition reaction or by substitution of another functional group. Alkylations
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001409 Bacillus cereus A species of rod-shaped bacteria that is a common soil saprophyte. Its spores are widespread and multiplication has been observed chiefly in foods. Contamination may lead to food poisoning.

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