Understanding the mode of action of diphtheria toxin: a perspective on progress during the 20th century

R J Collier

doi:10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00165-9

Understanding the mode of action of diphtheria toxin: a perspective on progress during the 20th century

Toxicon. 2001 Nov;39(11):1793-803. doi: 10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00165-9.

Author

R J Collier¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. jcollier@hms.harvard.edu

PMID: 11595641
DOI: 10.1016/s0041-0101(01)00165-9

Abstract

Diphtheria toxin is one of the most extensively studied and well understood bacterial toxins. Ever since its discovery in the late 1800's this toxin has occupied a central focus in the field of toxinology. In this review, I present a chronology of major discoveries that led to our current understanding of the structure and activity of diphtheria toxin.

Publication types

Historical Article
Review

MeSH terms

ADP Ribose Transferases*
Bacterial Toxins*
Diphtheria / history*
Diphtheria Toxin / chemistry
Diphtheria Toxin / history*
Exotoxins / chemistry
History, 19th Century
History, 20th Century
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A
Virulence Factors*

Substances

Bacterial Toxins
Diphtheria Toxin
Exotoxins
Virulence Factors
ADP Ribose Transferases