Identification of a peptide motif that potently inhibits two functionally distinct subunits of Shiga toxin

AbstractShiga toxin (Stx) is a major virulence factor of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, which causes fatal systemic complications. Here, we identified a tetravalent peptide that inhibited Stx by targeting its receptor-binding, B-subunit pentamer through a multivalent interaction. A monomeric peptide with the same motif, however, did not bind to the B-subunit pentamer. Instead, the monomer inhibited cytotoxicity with remarkable potency by binding to the catalytic A-subunit. An X-ray crystal structure analysis to 1.6 Å resolution revealed that the monomeric peptide fully occupied the catalytic cavity, interacting with Glu167 and Arg170, both of which are essential for catalytic activity. Thus, the peptide motif demonstrated potent inhibition of two functionally distinct subunits of Stx.

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Human Stx2-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Prevent Systemic Complications of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infection

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.70.2.612-619.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 612-619 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Jean Mukherjee ◽

Kerry Chios ◽

Dianne Fishwild ◽

Deborah Hudson ◽

Susan O'Donnell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Monoclonal Antibodies ◽

Shiga Toxin ◽

Cerebral Lesions ◽

Systemic Complications ◽

E Coli ◽

B Subunit ◽

Significant Prolongation ◽

A Subunit

ABSTRACT Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious complication predominantly associated with infection by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), such as E. coli O157:H7. EHEC can produce Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and/or Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2), both of which are exotoxins comprised of active (A) and binding (B) subunits. In piglets and mice, Stx can induce fatal neurological symptoms. Polyclonal Stx2 antiserum can prevent these effects in piglets infected with the Stx2-producing E. coli O157:H7 strain 86-24. Human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) against Stx2 were developed as potential passive immunotherapeutic reagents for the prevention and/or treatment of HUS. Transgenic mice bearing unrearranged human immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy and κ light chain loci (HuMAb___Mouse) were immunized with formalin-inactivated Stx2. Thirty-seven stable hybridomas secreting Stx2-specific HuMAbs were isolated: 33 IgG1κ A-subunit-specific and 3 IgG1κ and 1 IgG3κ B-subunit-specific antibodies. Six IgG1κ A-subunit-specific (1G3, 2F10, 3E9, 4H9, 5A4, and 5C12) and two IgG1κ B-subunit-specific (5H8 and 6G3) HuMAbs demonstrated neutralization of >95% activity of 1 ng of Stx2 in the presence of 0.04 μg of HuMAb in vitro and significant prolongation of survival of mice given 50 μg of HuMAb intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 25 ng of Stx2 intravenously. When administered i.p. to gnotobiotic piglets 6 or 12 h after infection with E. coli O157:H7 strain 86-24, HuMAbs 2F10, 3E9, 5H8, and 5C12 prolonged survival and prevented development of fatal neurological signs and cerebral lesions. The Stx2-neutralizing ability of these HuMAbs could potentially be used clinically to passively protect against HUS development in individuals infected with Stx-producing bacteria, including E. coli O157:H7.

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Intracellular Neutralization of Shiga Toxin 2 by an A Subunit-Specific Human Monoclonal Antibody

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.01282-07 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 76 (5) ◽

pp. 1931-1939 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Greice Krautz-Peterson ◽

Susan Chapman-Bonofiglio ◽

Karen Boisvert ◽

Hanping Feng ◽

Ira M. Herman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasma Membrane ◽

Shiga Toxin ◽

Human Monoclonal Antibody ◽

Retrograde Transport ◽

Systemic Complications ◽

B Subunit ◽

Early Endosomes ◽

Shiga Toxin 2 ◽

A Subunit

ABSTRACT Infection of children with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is the leading cause of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Stx2, one of two toxins liberated by the bacteria, is directly linked with HUS. We have previously shown that Stx2-specific human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) protect mice and piglets from fatal systemic complications of Stx2. The present study investigates the mechanisms by which our most efficacious A- and B-subunit-specific HuMAbs neutralize the cytotoxic effects of Stx2 in vitro. Whereas the B-subunit-specific HuMAb 5H8 blocked binding of Stx2 to its receptor on the cell surface, the A-subunit-specific HuMAb 5C12 did not interfere with the toxin-receptor binding. Further investigations revealed that 5C12 did not block endocytosis of Stx2 by HeLa cells as both Stx2 and 5C12 colocalized with early endosomes. However, 5C12 blocked the retrograde transport of the toxin into the Golgi and the endoplasmic reticulum, preventing the toxin from entering the cytosol where the toxin exerts its cytotoxic effect. The endocytosed 5C12/Stx2 complexes appear to be rapidly transported to the plasma membrane and/or to the slow recycling perinuclear compartments, followed by their slow recycling to the plasma membrane, and release into the extracellular environment.

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Preparative-scale HPLC Resolution of Metallacyclic η3-Allyltricarbonyliron Complexes and Determination of the Absolute Configuration by X-Ray Crystal Structure Analysis

Journal of Chemical Research ◽

10.1177/174751989902300930 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 23 (9) ◽

pp. 578-579

Author(s):

Rainer Schobert ◽

Hermann Pfab ◽

Jutta Böhmer ◽

Frank Hampel ◽

Andreas Werner

Keyword(s):

Crystal Structure ◽

Silica Gel ◽

Structure Analysis ◽

Absolute Configuration ◽

Crystal Structure Analysis ◽

Preparative Scale ◽

X Ray ◽

The Absolute

Racemates of (η3-allyl)tricarbonyliron lactone complex Fe(CO)3{η1:η3-C(O)XCH2CHCMeCH2} 1a (X = O) and (η3-allyl)tricarbonyliron lactam complex 2a (X = NMe) are resolved on a preparative scale by HPLC on cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenyl)carbamate/silica gel RP-8 and the absolute configuration of (-)-2a is determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis.

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