Sugar-binding and split domain combinations in repeats-in-toxin adhesins from Vibrio cholerae and Aeromonas veronii mediate cell-surface recognition and hemolytic activities.

, which causes cholera, uses an adhesion protein to stick to human cells and begin the infection process. One part of this adhesin protein binds to a particular sugar, fucose, on the surface of the target cells. This binding can lead to colonization and killing of the cells by the bacteria. Adding l-fucose to the bacteria before they bind to the human cells can prevent attachment and has promise as a preventative drug to protect against cholera.