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Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Toxins01:12

Bacterial Toxins

Bacterial toxins are sophisticated virulence factors that enable pathogenic bacteria to interact with, invade, and damage host tissues. These toxins fall broadly into two types: protein exotoxins, which are secreted into the environment and target specific host receptors, and lipopolysaccharide endotoxins, which are structural components of the bacterial outer membrane released primarily during bacterial lysis or membrane shedding. Exotoxins generally act more selectively, binding to cell...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Botulism01:22

Botulism

Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...
Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Tetanus01:29

Tetanus

Tetanus is a life-threatening neurological disorder characterized by persistent muscle contractions and spastic paralysis. It is caused by Clostridium tetani, a motile, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, obligate anaerobe. These bacteria produce terminal endospores, giving them a distinctive “lollipop” or “tennis-racket” appearance. They thrive in anaerobic environments, such as those found in deep puncture wounds.Once introduced into the body, the spores germinate into vegetative cells. These cells...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators
10:30

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators

Published on: December 27, 2013

Shiga toxin subtypes display dramatic differences in potency.

Cynthia A Fuller1, Christine A Pellino, Michael J Flagler

  • 1Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, Room 3109, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 524, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0524, USA.

Infection and Immunity
|January 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Shiga toxin (Stx) variants differ in potency. Stx2a and Stx2d subtypes are significantly more potent than Stx1 and other Stx2 variants, posing a greater risk for hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators
10:30

A High-throughput-compatible FRET-based Platform for Identification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin Light Chain Modulators

Published on: December 27, 2013

Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance
10:41

Detection of Toxin Translocation into the Host Cytosol by Surface Plasmon Resonance

Published on: January 3, 2012

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors
14:10

A High Content Imaging Assay for Identification of Botulinum Neurotoxin Inhibitors

Published on: November 14, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Toxicology
  • Pathogen Biology

Background:

  • Shiga toxin (Stx) causes systemic complications like hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS).
  • Stx has major forms (Stx1, Stx2) and Stx2 variants (Stx2a-h), with Stx2a being more potent than Stx1.
  • Differences in potency among Stx2 subtypes are suspected but not well-documented for purified toxins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the relative potencies of purified Stx2 subtypes (Stx2a, Stx2b, Stx2c, Stx2d, and activated Stx2d).
  • To evaluate Stx potency in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro: Assessed protein synthesis inhibition in Vero cells and metabolic activity inhibition in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs).
  • In vivo: Determined relative potencies in mouse models.

Main Results:

  • In vitro, Stx2a, Stx2d, and activated Stx2d were at least 25 times more potent than Stx2b and Stx2c in both cell types.
  • In vivo, Stx2b and Stx2c showed potency similar to Stx1.
  • In vivo, Stx2a, Stx2d, and activated Stx2d were 40 to 400 times more potent than Stx1.

Conclusions:

  • Stx2a, Stx2d, and activated Stx2d exhibit significantly higher potency than Stx1, Stx2b, and Stx2c.
  • The potency of Stx subtypes varies considerably, impacting their potential to cause disease.
  • These findings highlight the need to consider specific Stx subtype potency in risk assessment and therapeutic development for Stx-induced diseases.