The primary action of cholera toxin in intestinal epithelial cells is:
Solution
Correct Answer: Option B
- Cholera toxin enters intestinal epithelial cells and activates adenylate cyclase by permanently stimulating the Gs protein.
- This leads to a massive increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, which causes chloride ions to be secreted into the intestinal lumen.
- The resulting osmotic gradient draws water out, leading to severe watery diarrhea, the hallmark of cholera.
- This mechanism directly explains the toxin's primary effect on intestinal cells.
Reference: Robbins Basic Pathology, 10th Edition, Chapter 18/ p.765
- This leads to a massive increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels, which causes chloride ions to be secreted into the intestinal lumen.
- The resulting osmotic gradient draws water out, leading to severe watery diarrhea, the hallmark of cholera.
- This mechanism directly explains the toxin's primary effect on intestinal cells.
Reference: Robbins Basic Pathology, 10th Edition, Chapter 18/ p.765
Practice More Questions on Our App!
Download our app for free and access thousands of MCQ questions with detailed solutions