Shiga toxin (Stx) is a major virulence factor of Stx-producing Escherichia coli. Recently, we developed a therapeutic Stx neutralizer with 6 trisaccharides of globotriaosyl ceramide, a receptor for Stx, in its dendrimer structure (referred to as "SUPER TWIG [1]6") to function in the circulation. Here, we determined the optimal structure of SUPER TWIG for it to function in the circulation and identified a SUPER TWIG with 18 trisaccharides, SUPER TWIG (2)18, as another potent Stx neutralizer. SUPER TWIGs (1)6 and (2)18 shared a structural similarity, a dumbbell shape in which 2 clusters of trisaccharides were connected via a linkage with a hydrophobic chain. The dumbbell shape was found to be required for formation of a complex with Stx that enables efficient uptake and degradation of Stx by macrophages and, consequently, for potent Stx-neutralizing activity in the circulation. We also determined the binding site of the SUPER TWIGs on Stx.
Infection with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes bloody diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis in humans, sometimes resulting in fatal systemic complications. Among the known Stx family members, Stx2 is responsible for the most severe forms of disease. Stx2 binds to target cells via multivalent interactions between its B-subunit pentamer and globotriaosyl ceramide. After binding, it is first retrogradely transported to the Golgi and then to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Using a multivalent peptide library approach, we identified a tetravalent peptide that exhibits a high affinity for the Stx2 B-subunit pentamer (KD = 0.13 microM) and markedly inhibits Stx2 cytotoxicity. The tetravalent peptide exerted its inhibitory effects by inducing aberrant cellular transport of Stx2. Although the tetravalent peptide/Stx2 complex was incorporated into cells and translocated to the Golgi, this process was followed by the effective degradation of Stx2 in an acidic compartment rather than by its transfer to the ER. This peptide thoroughly protected mice from a fatal dose of E. coli O157:H7 even when administered after an established infection. Thus, the multivalent peptide library approach enabled the identification of a peptide-based Stx2 inhibitor that has remarkable therapeutic potency and appears to function by inducing aberrant cellular transport and degradation of Stx2.
Shiga toxin (Stx) is a major virulence factor in infection with Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). We developed a series of linear polymers of acrylamide, each with a different density of trisaccharide of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), which is a receptor for Stx, and identified Gb3 polymers with highly clustered trisaccharides as Stx adsorbents functioning in the gut. The Gb3 polymers specifically bound to both Stx1 and Stx2 with high affinity and markedly inhibited the cytotoxic activities of these toxins. Oral administration of the Gb3 polymers protected mice after administration of a fatal dose of E. coli O157:H7, even when the polymers were administered after the infection had been established. In these mice, the serum level of Stx was markedly reduced and fatal brain damage was substantially suppressed, which suggests that the Gb3 polymers entrap Stx in the gut and prevent its entrance into the circulation. These results indicate that the Gb3 polymers can be used as oral therapeutic agents that function in the gut against STEC infections.
It has been hypothesized that nitrogen fixation occurs in the human gut. However, whether the gut microbiota truly has this potential remains unclear. We investigated the nitrogen-fixing activity and diversity of the nitrogenase reductase (NifH) genes in the faecal microbiota of humans, focusing on Papua New Guinean and Japanese individuals with low to high habitual nitrogen intake. A 15N2 incorporation assay showed significant enrichment of 15N in all faecal samples, irrespective of the host nitrogen intake, which was also supported by an acetylene reduction assay. The fixed nitrogen corresponded to 0.01% of the standard nitrogen requirement for humans, although our data implied that the contribution in the gut in vivo might be higher than this value. The nifH genes recovered in cloning and metagenomic analyses were classified in two clusters: one comprising sequences almost identical to Klebsiella sequences and the other related to sequences of Clostridiales members. These results are consistent with an analysis of databases of faecal metagenomes from other human populations. Collectively, the human gut microbiota has a potential for nitrogen fixation, which may be attributable to Klebsiella and Clostridiales strains, although no evidence was found that the nitrogen-fixing activity substantially contributes to the host nitrogen balance.
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