List Biological Laboratories Pertussis toxin

Pertussis toxin (PT), a virulence factor produced by Bordetella pertussis, is a multisubunit toxin which binds to most cultured mammalian cells and targets specific G protein, inhibiting the ability of the G protein to function in signalling pathways. Depending on the function of the G protein, the effects of PT can vary. 

This ability to inhibit pathways using the Gi family of protein-coupled receptors is the basis of the use of PT as a tool in cell biology. PT plays a role in infection by suppressing and modulating various host immune responses to Bordetella pertussis. PT has been used to stimulate experimental autoimmune diseases in rodent models, such as experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE).

List Biological Laboratories provides native pertussis toxin lyophilised in buffer (Cat No 180) or pure water (Cat No 181), as well as a genetically inactivated form of pertussis toxin, Pertussis Toxin Mutant (Cat No 184). The protein may be used as antigens and as carrier proteins for other antigens.