Shiga toxin of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli type O157:H7 promotes intestinal colonization.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) 0157:H7 is a food-borne pathogen that can cause bloody diarrhea and, occasionally, acute renal failure as a consequence of Shiga toxin (Stx) production by the organism. Stxs are potent cytotoxins that are lethal to animals at low doses. Thus, Stxs not only harm the host but, as reported here, also significantly enhance the capacity of EHEC O157:H7 to adhere to epithelial cells and to colonize the intestines of mice. Tissue culture experiments showed that this toxin-mediated increase in bacterial adherence correlated with an Stx-evoked increase in a eukaryotic receptor for the EHEC O157:H7 attachment factor intimin.
Robinson
Cory M
CM
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799, USA.
Sinclair
James F
JF
Smith
Michael J
MJ
O'Brien
Alison D
AD
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity*; D000097796:Nucleolin
D010750:Phosphoproteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D022621:Shiga Toxin; D000097796:Nucleolin