Subtilase cytotoxin, produced by Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli , transiently inhibits protein synthesis of Vero cells via degradation of BiP and induces cell cycle arrest at G1 by downregulation of cyclin D1

Summary Subtilase cytotoxin (SubAB) is a AB 5 type toxin produced by Shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli , which exhibits cytotoxicity to Vero cells. SubAB B subunit binds to toxin receptors on the cell surface, whereas the A subunit is a subtilase‐like serine protease that specifically cleaves chaperone BiP/Grp78. As noted previously, SubAB caused inhibition of protein synthesis. We now show that the inhibition of protein synthesis was transient and occurred as a result of ER stress induced by cleavage of BiP; it was closely associated with phosphorylation of double‐stranded RNA‐activated protein kinase‐like ER kinase (PERK) and eukaryotic initiation factor‐2α (eIF2α). The phosphorylation of PERK and eIF2α was maximal at 30–60 min and then returned to the control level. Protein synthesis after treatment of cells with SubAB was suppressed for 2 h and recovered, followed by induction of stress‐inducible C/EBP‐homologous protein (CHOP). BiP degradation continued, however, even after protein synthesis recovered. SubAB‐treated cells showed cell cycle arrest in G1 phase, which may result from cyclin D1 downregulation caused by both SubAB‐induced translational inhibition and continuous prolonged proteasomal degradation.