Question

Many proteins are secreted in their inactive form. This is also true of many toxic proteins produced by microorganisms. Explain how the mechanism is useful for the organism producing the toxin?

Answer 1

When the toxin is present in inactive form, it doesn't harm the organism which produces the toxin. For example; Bacillus thuringiensis produces an insecticidal toxin which does not kill this bacterium. This toxin becomes active when it enters alkaline pH of the gut of an insect and the insect is killed.