Shiga toxin-encoding bacteriophages--genomes in motion.
Shiga toxins (Stx) represent a group of bacterial toxins that are involved in human and animal disease. Stx are mainly produced by Escherichia coli isolated from human and non-human sources, Shigella dysenteriae type 1, and sporadically, by Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae and Shigella flexneri. The genes encoding Stx are encoded in the genome of heterogeneous lambdoid prophages (Stx-converting bacteriophages; Stx-phages). They are located in a similar position in the late region of the prophage genome and stx is under control of phage genes. Therefore, induction of Stx-converting prophages triggers increased production of Stx. Following induction, Stx-phages can infect other bacteria in vivo and in vitro. Stx-phages may be considered to represent highly mobile genetic elements that play an important role in the expression of Stx, in horizontal gene transfer, and hence in genome diversification.
Herold
Sylvia
S
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01037 Dresden, Germany.
Karch
Helge
H
Schmidt
Herbert
H
D000818:Animals; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016971:Citrobacter freundii / Q000821:virology*; D016972:Enterobacter cloacae / Q000821:virology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008242:Lysogeny; D039002:Prophages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D012760:Shigella / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D012762:Shigella dysenteriae / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D012763:Shigella flexneri / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D014775:Virus Activation; D016662:Virus Integration
D022603:Shiga Toxins