RESUMO
GM1 ganglioside has been identified as the receptor for cholera toxin (CT) and heat-labile (LT) enterotoxin of Escherichia coli in many cell types. Using the radial immune hemolysis (RIH) and indirect hemagglutination (IH) tests described for the detection of these enterotoxins, a study was conducted on the 100% inhibition of these reactions by pre-incubating these enterotoxins, a study was conducted on the 100% inhibition of these reactions by pre-incubating these enterotoxins with GM1, GD 1a and GT1 gangliosides. GM1 was found to be much more efficient than the othjer two. With respect to the RIH test, GT1 was more efficient than GD1a as an inhibitor of enterotoxin binding. Similar results were obtained with the IH test. These data also showed that sheep red blood cells provide a good model system for the study of receptors for CT, LT and probably other enterotoxins which bind to gangliosides