Toxic shock syndrome toxin

A molecular model of the Toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). This bacterial protein superantigen is produced by Staphlococcus aureus and invokes an extremely strong immune response. It cross links MHC class II molecules with T-cell receptors to bring about cytokine production in T-cells which leads on to various shock related symptoms such as a drop in blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhoea, toxic shock and fever.