Abstract
Bordetella pertussis produces an adenylate cyclase which is a toxin. The enzyme penetrates eukaryotic cells and, upon activation by host calmodulin, generates high levels of intracellular cAMP; as a result bactericidal functions of immune effector cells are considerably impaired. The toxin is composed of a single polypeptide that possesses both the catalytic and the toxic functions. It penetrates the host cell directly from the plasma membrane and is concomitantly inactivated by a proteolytic degradation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 459-463 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Trends in Biochemical Sciences |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |