Editing Exotoxin (section)

==== Heat-stable enterotoxins ====

Some strains of ''[[E. coli]]'' produce [[heat-stable enterotoxin]]s (ST), which are small peptides that are able to withstand heat treatment at 100&nbsp;°C.  Different STs recognize distinct receptors on the cell surface and thereby affect different intracellular signaling pathways.  For example, STa [[enterotoxins]] bind and activate membrane-bound guanylate cyclase, which leads to the intracellular accumulation of [[cyclic GMP]] and downstream effects on several signaling pathways.  These events lead to the loss of electrolytes and water from intestinal cells.