Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) content in HeLa cells is correlated to Shiga toxin-induced cytotoxicity and Gb3 synthase expression.
Globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotetraosylceramide (Gb4) are the proposed functional receptors for Shiga toxin (Stx). To elucidate the effect of Gb3 content on Stx-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, we cloned HeLa cells and determined the correlation between glycolipids content and Stx-induced cytotoxicity. The 29 HeLa cell clone (HLCC) lines used showed a wide range of sensitivity to Stx, compared to Gb3-rich cells which were more sensitive, showing as little as 20% viability to 100 pg/ml Stx. In contrast, Gb3-deficient cells proved resistant as they were more than 80% viable to 100 ng/ml Stx. Gb3 content in the HLCC lines corresponded with Stxs-induced cytotoxicity as well as Gb3 synthase expression, but no correlation with Gb4 content was noted. These data show that Gb3 content, which is regulated by the expression of Gb3 synthase, determines the sensitivity of HeLa cells toward Stx.
Shin
In-Sun
IS
College of animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University, Kangwon 200-701, Korea.
Ishii
Satoshi
S
Shin
Jong-Seo
JS
Sung
Kyong-Il
KI
Park
Byung-Sung
BS
Jang
Hyun-Yong
HY
Kim
Byong-Wan
BW
D005700:Galactosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005915:Globosides / Q000378:metabolism; D006367:HeLa Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D014281:Trihexosylceramides / Q000378:metabolism*
D005915:Globosides; D014281:Trihexosylceramides; C024032:globotetraosylceramide; C018549:globotriaosylceramide; D022621:Shiga Toxin; D005700:Galactosyltransferases; C045097:UDP-galactose-lactosylceramide alpha 1-4-galactosyltransferase