title: Human T lymphocyte mitogenesis in response to the B oligomer of pertussis toxin is associated with an early elevation in cytosolic calcium concentrations.
abstract: Pertussis toxin was found to serve as a mitogen in the human T lymphocyte, an effect which could be mimicked by its resolved binding component, the B oligomer. The mechanism of action of this component appeared to involve a rapid and sustained elevation of cytosolic calcium levels, as monitored by fura-2 fluorescence. The source of mobilized calcium was predominantly extracellular, suggesting that the binding of the B oligomer to the T cell plasma membrane in some way elicited calcium channel activation. Notably, the influx of calcium was not observed with cholera toxin, an AB toxin lacking mitogenic effects on the human T lymphocyte.
mesh_terms: D001572:Benzofurans; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D002455:Cell Division; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D016257:Fura-2; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008938:Mitosis; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007473:Ion Channels; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D002118:Calcium; D016257:Fura-2