Protein toxin

Protein toxins are harmful substances produced by certain bacteria, plants, or animals, composed of complex protein molecules. These toxins can interfere with normal bodily functions, often damaging cells or tissues. For example, bacterial toxins like tetanus toxin can cause illness by disrupting the nervous system, while venom from some snakes contains protein toxins that damage blood vessels or interfere with nerve signals. Because they are proteins, these toxins are often specific in how they attack the body, and understanding them is important for developing vaccines and treatments for poisoning or infections.