Toxin from a microorganism affecting the intestines
An enterotoxin is a protein exotoxin released by a microorganism that targets the intestines.[1] They can be chromosomally or plasmid encoded.[2] They are heat labile (>60⁰), of low molecular weight and water-soluble. Enterotoxins are frequently cytotoxic and kill cells by altering the apical membrane permeability of the mucosal (epithelial) cells of the intestinal wall. They are mostly pore-forming toxins (mostly chloride pores), secreted by bacteria, that assemble to form pores in cell membranes. This causes the cells to die.