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Incorporation of a non-human glycan mediates human susceptibility to a bacterial toxin

Author

Listed:
  • Emma Byres

    (Protein Crystallography Unit and ARC Centre of Excellence for Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia)

  • Adrienne W. Paton

    (School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide)

  • James C. Paton

    (School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide)

  • Jonas C. Löfling

    (Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0687, USA)

  • David F. Smith

    (Protein-Carbohydrate Interaction Core H, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA)

  • Matthew C. J. Wilce

    (Protein Crystallography Unit and ARC Centre of Excellence for Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia)

  • Ursula M. Talbot

    (School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide)

  • Damien C. Chong

    (School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide)

  • Hai Yu

    (University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA)

  • Shengshu Huang

    (University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA)

  • Xi Chen

    (University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA)

  • Nissi M. Varki

    (Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0687, USA)

  • Ajit Varki

    (Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0687, USA)

  • Jamie Rossjohn

    (Protein Crystallography Unit and ARC Centre of Excellence for Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia)

  • Travis Beddoe

    (Protein Crystallography Unit and ARC Centre of Excellence for Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia)

Abstract

Double exposure Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli causes severe gastrointestinal disease, in part mediated by subtilase cytotoxin. The B subunit of this toxin is now shown to have high affinity for glycans containing N-glycolylneuraminic acid, a saccharide that is not synthesized by humans. Instead it is ingested as part of the diet, in red meat and dairy products and subsequently incorporated into intestinal and kidney tissue. Ironically, red meat and dairy products, rich sources of N-glycolylneuraminic acid, are also the foods most commonly contaminated with the toxic bacteria. So through dietary choices, humans may both expose themselves to a pathogen and simultaneously become more susceptible to it as their tissues are sensitized to a key virulence factor.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma Byres & Adrienne W. Paton & James C. Paton & Jonas C. Löfling & David F. Smith & Matthew C. J. Wilce & Ursula M. Talbot & Damien C. Chong & Hai Yu & Shengshu Huang & Xi Chen & Nissi M. Varki & Aj, 2008. "Incorporation of a non-human glycan mediates human susceptibility to a bacterial toxin," Nature, Nature, vol. 456(7222), pages 648-652, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:456:y:2008:i:7222:d:10.1038_nature07428
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07428
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