Disease Disorder Problem by Damage to Cell Wall

Disease/Disorder/Problem when Cell Wall/Membrane is harmed

Damage to cell wall can cause fatal diseases. One of them is Cholera. The disease is fatal if not treated immediately. Its primary cause is the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which enters the digestive system though drinking water containing some contamination of faeces of an infected person.

Cholera toxin released from the bacteria vibrio cholerae is infected in the intestine. Here it forcefully binds with its cells called enterocytes. This happens when pentameric B subunit of the toxin interacts with GM1 receptor on the cell wall of enterocytes, this triggers endocytosis of the toxin. In order for the A1 domain to become active, the A/B toxin undergoes cleavage of A1 domain from A2 domain. Then through ADP-rybosylation reaction the protein Gsα is activated when A1 fragment of toxin enters in the vicinity of cytosol, thus exposing the cell contents. This action starts stimulating adenylate cyclase to produce cAMP continuosly. When the cAMP levels reach very high, it activates CFTR causing high out-flux of ions and water from the infected enterocytes. This causes diarrhea and in some cases vomiting too.

The treatment of cholera should be proceeded without any delay, as it may prove to be fatal. Recovery involves rehydration of bodily fluids and ions. For this Oral Rehydration Salts are prescribed, which replace lost fluids and electrolytes. In severe cases, intravenous fluids may also be needed. Some of the antibiotics prescribed to reduce the duration of diarrhea are doxycycline or azithromycin.