Cereulide

Cereulide is a potent, cyclic dodecadepsipeptide toxin produced by specific strains of the bacterium Bacillus cereus. It is the primary causative agent of the emetic syndrome associated with food poisoning, typically resulting from the consumption of contaminated starchy foods such as rice or pasta (Agata et al., 1995). Structurally and functionally similar to the antibiotic valinomycin, cereulide acts as a potassium-specific ionophore that integrates into the inner mitochondrial membrane. This integration facilitates the unregulated transport of potassium ions, leading to the dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation (Mikkola et al., 1999). \n\nThe resulting cellular energy depletion can lead to severe metabolic disturbances; while symptoms are usually limited to nausea and vomiting, high-dose exposure has been linked to rare but fatal cases of acute liver failure and encephalopathy (Shiota et al., 2002). Cereulide is remarkably robust, demonstrating extreme resistance to high temperatures, acidic environments, and proteolytic degradation, which ensures its persistence even after cooking and ingestion. There are currently no approved therapeutic drugs that target cereulide; clinical management is restricted to supportive care, such as fluid replacement and symptomatic relief for vomiting (EFSA, 2016).

Other names

Bacillus cereus emetic toxinCEREmetic toxin of B. cereus

Acts as a potassium ionophore that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by dissipating the mitochondrial membrane potential in the inner mitochondrial membrane.